Category: Curriculum

Curriculum, Education, Grammar, High School Grammar, Homeschool, Middle School, Reviews, Writing

Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple Review

Little Learner and Mom

I received the Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple from Timberdoodle Co. in exchange for my fair and honest review.

If you have been curious about the Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind like I have, this is going to be a great review of the Purple Level. Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple is one of 4 books part of the program. The idea is that students should move through all four books by high school. There isn’t a big difference between each text. Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind non-sequential grammar program. Therefore you can start with any of the books and work your way through the program. Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple is a secular curriculum that follows the classical education model.

From basic through advanced grammar concepts, the Purple Workbook provides clear definitions of rules, repeated examples, and plenty of practice. Step-by-step instructions and regular review help every student succeed

Well Trained Mind

Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple is included in the 8th-grade Timberdoodle curriculum kit. My son is gifted in grammar, so we need to provide a rigorous grammar curriculum for him. We are eclectic homeschoolers and I have been looking for a supplement for our upcoming school year. Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple is a 36-week program, there is no hurry to complete a level in one school year. We could possibly do two levels in middle school and the remaining levels in high school.

This innovative grammar program will take your student from the fundamental definition of a noun through a detailed analysis of complex sentence structure.

Timberdoodle Co.

Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple bundle comes with the student workbook, answer key, and core instructor book. The instructor book is to be used across all levels of Grammar for the Well Trained Mind. The purple level is recommended for grade level for students from 5th -12th. In my honest opinion, the rigor in this book would be suited for gifted 5th graders or the spring of the 5th-grade year, but it may be a better fit for a 6th grader. Since we will be continuing this in the fall, I am following the recommendation of just doing 16 weeks and then picking up weeks 17-36 weeks for our school year.

Lesson Layout

Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple as well as the other levels has 3 elements of learning. These levels of understanding are:

  • Comprehension and Memory
  • Examples
  • Practice

As I previously stated there are 36 weeks in the text. Within those weeks there are 4 lessons with exercises per week to complete. Every fourth week there is a review of the previous 3 weeks with 6 exercises. Ideally, high school students should complete one level each year. Younger students can work at their own pace, therefore, completing the 4 levels over a period of time until they completed all four. You don’t have to follow the layout you can work at your own pace and modify as you need.

Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple starts off really basic with nouns and adjectives and provides a hefty amount of practice during the lesson. Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple is a mastery program and I am finding that with my son moving into middle school he needs more of a mastery curriculum so he is prepared for high school and college entrance examinations. Students will master all the grammar and writing skills they will need to be successful in writing and speaking.

The text is in black and white which I like because my son and I both are highlighters. Highlighting for him provides him with a key for referencing when he is working on activities. The lesson is instructor-led, but it is not overwhelming, and the instructor guide is scripted. Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple can be modified for special learners. The purple level can work for students up to grade 12, they will be prepared for college-level English and writing. If you do decide to move to another level you will find the same concepts covered they will just differ in practice questions and assignments.

You can use Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple alongside your spine curriculum or use it as a stand-alone curriculum. I would just adjust how you use it, so it doesn’t become too overwhelming for your student. You can preview Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple sample pages on the Timberdoodle Co Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple landing page.

My Thoughts

I wouldn’t start Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple with a student earlier than 5th grade. I would also start it in the spring of the 5th-grade year. I also think it is an excellent idea to start Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple or any of the levels in middle school. Starting in middle school gives you and your student plenty of time to work through all four levels. Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple has a fair amount of rigor so I would also be mindful of this and plan according to your child’s needs and learning style. The books provide a fair amount of practice and grammar. Students will also practice sentence diagramming. I do like that they do a review after every 3 lessons and the core instructor text that you can use across all 4 levels is a money saver. My son has solid grammar background and is gifted in this area of his studies I have confidence he could probably do the lessons on his own, but because this a program that is used across years I would still prefer to oversee his lessons.

I completely recommend Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Level Purple for rising 6th -12 graders. It is a great program and provides everything your student needs for grammar.

Until the Next Time,

Mom

Africa, African History, Curriculum, Education, Family, Geography, History, S.T.E.A.M

Teni & Tayo Africa in a Box Review!

Little Learner and Mom

We received Africa In A Box from Teni & Tayo for our honest review!

Normally I start my reviews off with an opener, but for this one, I just have just dive right in for this review. When I tell you I was impressed with Africa In A Box from Teni & Tayo I couldn’t wait to write this review!!!

Africa In A Box is exactly what you get with an interactive history stem box for ages 5+. We felt like we were given front-row seats to the motherland with Mrs. Omobola as our guide. My son was instantly captivated, and his Nintendo Switch was kicked to the curb very quickly. Once he saw me place the box on the table and saw all the goodies he was ready!

Our mission is to help close the representation gap in the products made for kids while creating fun and engaging products that any child can enjoy.

Mrs. Omobola- creator

Our topic of the month was the Ndebele Tribe of South Africa/Zimbabwe. Included in our inspired by Africa box was everything thing we needed to build our authentic home. We received:

  • Detailed written and picture instructions.
  • Markers and pencil
  • Glue
  • Wooden panel with building hardware
  • Battery pack and batteries
  • Wires and LED bulb
  • Twine

Let’s talk about this video it was awesome we watched it twice. We learned about the Ndebele tribe in South Africa and some parts of Zimbabwe. We learned about the language, history, geography, and culture. My son was in awe of the beauty of the countries and people mentioned in the video.

He asked me… Mom why don’t they show how beautiful Africa really is on the news and tv?”

Jai – age 10

As parents, we have always taught our son about the beautiful continent of Africa and let him know he is a descendant of mighty kings and queens. To have a box like Africa In A Box just solidifies everything he has been learning since he was a toddler.

The hands-on STEM activity is wonderful. The instructor walks the children through building the structure. Mrs. Omobola has a natural rapport with the children. I like that she spoke to the children with respect, positivity, and encouragement. Also included in the box is an informational reader about the lesson the kids would be learning.

In the video, the children learn the importance of giving back because they tell the children for every box they receive a certain percentage of the purchase goes to help those in need in Africa and the African diaspora. I love that they are teaching this value because it is so important that children learn to give back.

After finishing his box he started playing with his Black Panther Lego mini figure. His house was the highlight of the day. He found a special place for it in his room. He asked us to get him another box because he enjoyed this one so much!

My son is 10, and he had no problem assembling the project on his own. When he got stuck with the wiring he just went back and rewatched the video and paused where he needed to adjust. My son isn’t big on decorating projects like this but he fully decorated his project and turned on some South African music on Alexa and spent the afternoon coloring. He also spent the evening telling his dad about his project and attempting to do the Ndebele clicking pronunciation.

Africa In A Box is available as a monthly subscription or bundle discount. At the time of this review, the company is offering free shipping on their box subscriptions. The cost starts at $38.99 and they are mailed by the 15th of the month. There is a pop-up on their website where you can save 10% off your first box. We plan to subscribe so we can get the upcoming box on Empress Taytu Betul of Ethiopia. I highly recommend Africa In A Box from Teni & Tayo .

Until the Next Time,

Mom and Jai

Art, Critical Thinking and Logic, Curriculum, Education, Homeschool, Reviews

HiGASFY Art History Renaissance Review

Little Learner and Mom

I received the “Have I Got a Story for You” Renaissance Period from Timberdoodle Co. in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Art still remains to be one of those subjects I tend to drop the ball on every year in our homeschool. Now we do some art throughout the year, but it is just not in heavy rotation. We recently were given the opportunity to review the “Have I Got a Story for You” during the Renaissance period. You may be familiar with us writing about this program known as HIGASFY from a few years back, we are excited to review the Renaissance period.

What is “Have I Got a Story for You”

“Have I Got a Story for You” is a downloaded art curriculum that can be done at your own pace. There are 12 fun downloadable videos. The videos are fun, and interactive the HIGASFY team has done a great job of making the videos relatable to younger and older students. Along with the corresponding videos you receive:

  • 40 flashcards
  • Name the Artist Assessment (Powerpoint)
  • Cross-Curricular activities in writing, history, science, and geography

The target grade level is the 1st-8th grade, Mrs. Beth makes art come alive for your student. This program would work great as a family subject the way it is laid out. Gasfy is such a great companion to Mrs. Beth as she takes your student through the wonderful world of art history. Who is Gasfy? He is the cute little green paint drop that helps Mrs. Beth teach the lessons. The videos average about 22-23 mins and the activities are fun and quick to complete. Everything you need is laid out for you all you need to do is follow the lesson and pick your activities and you are all set. I know what you are thinking what about art supplies? You don’t need a bunch of fancy art supplies to complete the “Have I Got a Story for You” Ressinance Period.

“Have I Got a Story for You” Ressinance Period

The “Have I Got a Story for You” Renaissance Period program covers Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. These are all respected artists during the Renaissance period; if your student has never been exposed to these artists this is a great program. Mrs. Beth and Gasfy do a great job explaining the lives of these artists. The lesson plans also include critical thinking questions and advanced student lessons. Students will find the lesson activities engaging. Each lesson also includes vocabulary words and beautiful art visuals for your student.

How We Plan to Use “Have I Got a Story for You”

We are currently working our way through ancient civilization in our current history lessons. In the next few months, we will be moving into the renaissance period and my plan is to use the “Have I Got a Story for You” Renaissance Period on Fridays for our art lessons. My son is familiar with HIGASFY because we have used it previously and he enjoyed it.

If you are looking for a low-maintenance and easy-to-implement art program that your kids would love I highly recommend you check out “Have I Got a Story for You” Renaissance Period. Keep in mind “Have I Got a Story for You” Renaissance Period is a downloadable art curriculum for your family. If you would like to read our older review of HIGASFY please feel free to check out our previous review.

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

Curriculum, Education, Grammar, Homeschool, Preschool

Reading Eggs Review!

Little Learner and Mom

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

We have reviewed Reading Eggs previously with the Crew, but this review is a little bittersweet because this is the last year my son will be able to use the online program. I am so sad that my son will be moving on to middle school, but Reading Eggs has prepared him for his next journey in homeschooling.

Reading Eggs has been at the start of our home-learning journey since my son was 3 years old. When we first started the company only had the Reading Eggs and Eggpress. Since then, the company has added, Reading Eggs Junior for 2-4 years to help jumpstart your little learner’s journey to reading with the use of interactive games and stories. Fast Phonics ages 5-10 years helps develop those phonics skills through 20 fun-filled interactive games. Reading Eggs not only features Mathseeds for ages 3-9 but is an award-winning online math program that helps teach your students the foundations of math and problem-solving.

Reading Eggs is an excellent program because it indeed grows with your student through early and lower levels of elementary. No matter what level your student starts with Reading Eggs easy placement test or through the parent dashboard you will find the confidence they will meet your student where they are at. The parent dashboard is comprehensive and gives you full control over your student’s learning path. The parent dashboard also includes a wonderful parent user guide, lesson overviews, a pacing guide, worksheets, and much more. As I am writing this review, I am rethinking what I said early that this may be our last year of Reading Eggs that they also have activity sheets in Spanish those sheets will be a great way to review my son’s Spanish!!! The parent dashboard also allows you to manually change your student’s learning path and or reassign the placement test.

How we used Reading Eggs

So my son is doing a hybrid 5th and 6th grade this year, we used Reading Eggs Eggpress during this review period. Reading Eggs Eggpress is for students ages 7-13, once students complete the original Reading Eggs they move on to Eggpress. Reading Eggpress helps students to learn literary terms, spelling, reading comprehension, and grammar. Eggpress brings that same interactive experience, but at a higher level of learning. Through games and positive reinforcement, students will work on 200 lessons with 220 comprehensive lessons completed with an assessment test. What I really like about Eggpress is that I can adjust my son’s level whenever I would like, but this year I didn’t adjust his year I am letting him rework Eggpress from the very beginning and letting the program adjust for him. I am looking for holes he may have so I can reinforce and review those skills. Reading Eggs Eggpress encourages your students to work on the lessons by giving them targets to hit and earn rewards. The English skills area is phenomenal it not only reinforces grammar it works on spelling. The library section in Eggpress has a nice selection of books on different subjects. My son loves the science section of books, and he is running through the books. Eggpress is definitely for the older kiddos and it just works so well for us and where we are in our homeschooling. I really love the new addition of the journal to Reading Eggs it is great that Reading Eggs is also adding social-emotional learning and mindfulness to the platform.

If you are looking for an online reading program for your family for children ages 2-13, I highly recommend Reading Eggs. Reading Eggs is one of the most trusted learning platforms among homeschooled families. The Crew members have all loved Reading Eggs, so check out the other crew member’s reviews by clicking the banner below.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/readingeggsUSCA/community/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/readingeggs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readingeggs/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/readingeggs/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/readingeggs

6th Grade, 7th Grade, Curriculum, Education, Homeschool, Middle School Math

TabletClass Math: Pre-Algebra Review!

Little Learner and Mom

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

As we move through our current school year my mind is always focused on the future of upper-level math for my son. We are pretty much set for this school year for math curriculums, but I have been wondering if we are on the right track for Algebra. I was given the opportunity to review TabletClass Math Pre-Algebra.

TabletClass Math Pre-Algebra is an online math curriculum with pre-recorded lectures. There is a student and parent portal, student portal is where your student will do their coursework. I really do like the parental portal it gives you an in-depth understanding of the curriculum along with answer keys. Once the student completes the course student you can print out a certificate. The parent portal is easy to use and gives you a pacing guide which I really love because it shows you the different levels of pacing from slower, average, and accelerated. Having this pacing guide will allow you to use TabletClass Math Pre-Algebra as it best works for your family.

TabletClass Math Pre-Algebra is a little long and reminds me of a traditional classroom lecture. Mr. Zimmerman opens the class by him teaching the lesson on a whiteboard, I really like this method of teaching because it encourages students to take notes. We are working on taking notes in our other curriculums and I am always on my son about taking accurate notes in his current math curriculum. I like how Mr. Zimmerman uses highlighting as he teaches the lessons, my son loves to highlight. I had my son watch a few of the videos and asked him what he thought of this teaching style, and if would it be something he would like to try, and he did point out to me that lessons are long, but he likes how Mr. Zimmerman writes great notes and teaches slowly each of the steps. I totally agree with his observations, and for this reason, I will pull this out when we are really struggling with a concept.

Parent Portal

How to Complete a Lesson

Students will take notes from the instruction video, I highly recommend you encourage your student to do this. After they watch the instruction video students will then work on the example problems, which are available to print out or students can work in a notebook. Once the student completes the first set of examples problems, they can go to the video that is marked for that section of problems and check their answers or correct the problems they didn’t get correct. I love this self-correcting option because Mr. Zimmerman walks them through the steps of each problem and your student can see what they did wrong and make the adjustments accordingly.

Student Portal

There are sixteen chapters in TabletClass Math Pre-Algebra currently out of those sixteen chapters I can honestly say that my son has had exposure to each of the topics covered. Now I said exposure not mastery, so with that being said will start from chapter one. One of the things I really enjoyed was Mr. Zimmerman’s tone of voice/pace, visual aids, and bits of humor in the lessons. I felt like he was having a conversation with the students rather than talking at them and rushing through the concept. My son watched the first video and instantly caught on to the concept being explained and didn’t feel overwhelmed.

What I found different about TabletClass Math Pre-Algebra is they really concentrate on those pre-algebra concepts that I remember in 8th and 9th grade. If your students don’t have the proper foundation for basic elementary skills, you will know right away once you start TabletClass Math Pre-Algebra. My son is almost 10 years old and works at a 6th-grade math level he had no problem looking over the topics we previewed, so I highly recommend you make sure your student has basic and early middle school math skills nailed.

Overall Review

I really like TabletClass Math Pre-Algebra it gives me that old-school way of learning upper-level math. Notetaking is a huge plus in my opinion because it is setting your student up for success with math and independent learning. The self-correcting alongside Mr. Zimmerman is also a plus because it not only helps your student to see their errors but also allows the parent to help students. The self-correcting also helps support your student with the organization. I don’t know how many times I have to tell my student to show his work in his current curriculum and have to explain why he needs to make this a habit. Mr. Zimmerman wants your student to show their work so they can review and better understand.

We will defiantly be using TabletClass Math Pre-Algebra once we finish our last 10 lessons in our current math curriculum to bridge the gap until we start our new curriculum in January. I would love to fit it into our rotation now, but I want us to finish these last 10 lessons first. I highly recommend this curriculum if you are looking for pre-algebra support. TabletClass Math Pre-Algebra also works well for those independent learners and for those families looking to help transition their students to independent learning. TabletClass Math Pre-Algebra tests and exams are also a big plus for me. I know some homeschoolers aren’t big on tests and exams, but I do like to have something that reflects that my student understands what he has been learning and use these results to help me with lesson plans and for his portfolio.

Be sure to check out the other crew member’s reviews of TabletClass Math by clicking the banner below.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tabletclassmath
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tabletclassacademy/tabletclass-math/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/tabletclass

Curriculum, Education, Homeschool, Homeschool Family, Teaching Resources

Super Teacher Worksheets

Little Learner and Mom

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

For the last few weeks, I have enjoyed planning our new homeschool year using Super Teacher Worksheets. We received a 1-year membership to Super Teacher Worksheets, the membership has been a valuable resource for planning.

I am not a huge worksheet homeschooler, I prefer more of a literature-based, hands-on activity style of learning. Now I am not saying my son doesn’t have written lessons, because does have his fair share, I just prefer not to give him busy work. The great thing about Super Teacher Worksheets is that their resources aren’t busy work and I can print what I need and go.

Super Teacher Worksheets is not just a website for printing worksheets, there are resources that include games, a worksheet generator, writing prompts, flashcards, puzzles, and much more. Super Teacher Worksheets for students in grades PreK- 5th grade. I did notice reading comprehension resources for 6th grade as well as math resources for Algebra and Pre-Algebra. Super Teacher Worksheets include resources for the following subjects:

  • Math
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reading & Writing
  • Phonics & Early Literacy
  • Grammar
  • Spelling, Science, Social Studies
  • Chapter Books
  • Teacher Resources

We have reviewed Super Teacher Worksheets previously with the Homeschool Review Crew, so I know my way around the website pretty well. If you are new to the website you will find it easy to navigate and you will come to appreciate the File Cabinet feature that helps you keep your saved resources organized. One of the features I am loving this year is the Worksheet Generator.

Super Teacher Worksheets worksheet generator has been my go-to for planning this year. Our spine curriculum this year is literature and research-based. My son is really enjoying all the hands-on activities, but there are a few things I would like to add to it such as some written activities for his vocabulary words, and extra resources on the topics he is studying about. The worksheet generator has been fabulous for creating my own crossword puzzles, word searches, ABC order, and quiz generator. The worksheet generator alone is worth the value of having a membership to Super Teacher Worksheets. I do like that the worksheet generator adjusts to the student’s grade level as far as the layout.

The other area I am really enjoying is the science resources, my son loves all things science. We are currently studying frogs and wetlands. I was dreading having to pin through the internet to find grade-appropriate materials to add to his lesson, but having the Super Teacher Worksheets saved me from hours of searching. The resources I found on frogs and the wetlands were exactly what was I looking for and my son was pleased with the content.

At the time of this review, Super Teacher Worksheets is $24.95 for a 1-year membership. The cost of this yearly membership is a super value and will fit most budgets. There are so many resources you will certainly find something of great use. For this mama, I am going to be using the worksheet generator a ton. If you would like to learn more about what the Crew has to say about Super Teacher Worksheets be sure to click the banner below.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/superteacherworksheets/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SuperTeacherWks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superteacher_worksheets/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/superteacherwks/

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

Curriculum, Education, Homeschool, Homeschool Family, Math, Middle School Math

CTCMath Review!

Little Learner and Mom

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

I think the CTCMath is one of my favorite reviews to write for the Homeschool School Review Crew! We received a 12-month family membership and we absolutely love CTCMath it is a must-have for our homeschool resources.

CTCMath is an online complete math curriculum for grades K-12 grade. The online math platform comes with:

  • Instructional Videos
  • Customizable Printables
  • Parent Dashboard
  • Task Manager
  • Lesson Tracking and Self Grading
  • Record Keeping
  • Award Certificates
  • Fluency Games

This year we approached CTCMath in a different way, I decided to make the program a part of our weekly math rotation. Previously we used it as a way to supplement when my son needed help with concepts he was learning in his spine curriculum. This year we are starting from the beginning of the 5th-grade concepts and we are going to work our way through all the concepts in order from start to finish. I decided to do it this way this year because I want to pinpoint and find holes. So far he has been progressing very well and we have only hit one hole I am making sure we review this concept and have it reviewed.

Each week I assign my son 3-5 tasks a week and when he finishes those tasks I assign the next set. I decided not to do the diagnostic assessment when we first started because I really wanted to work through the 5th-grade concepts, just in case, the assessment placed him higher because this homeschool year we are focusing on mastery of foundations.

Since I have made CTCMath part of our routine math lessons I am sure to include them in my lesson plan and my son’s checklist. I set the task to expire in 7 days so he has all week to get them completed and I have his pass grade set at 95 percent and 3 attempts. My son likes to spread his task out but he knows to get them done before the week is over.

What I really like about CTCMath is how easy it is to use, the lessons adapt to your students, the instructional videos are clear, and give excellent step-by-step examples. Sometimes I will print out the instructional lesson and place the examples in his math folder so he can reference them back. I really like the flow of CTCMath because it is straight to the point and not boring. If you are looking for a lot of graphics and huge amounts of math gaming CTCMath has very minimal.

CTCMath provides extensive reports of your student’s progress that can be easily printed off and slid into a student portfolio. I also enjoy the 5th-grade checklist you can also print out and track your student’s grades.

CTCMath is an affordable online math curriculum it has won many awards and remains to be one of the Homeschool Review Crew member’s favorite online math programs. It can be used as a supplement or a full math curriculum. Students can do their lesson digitally or they can print it out. Highly adaptable students have access to all grade levels on their dashboards. With individual student logins, this is great for multiple families.

I highly recommend CTCMath for all students it is worth the cost and I really love how it has grown with my son over the years. Be sure to check out the other Crew’s reviews by clicking the banner below.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ctcmath/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CTCMathOfficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctcmath/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ctcmath/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ctcmathyoutube

Curriculum, Education, Grammar, Homeschool, Vocabulary

Dynamic Literacy, LLC: Wordbuild Online Review!

Little Learner and Mom

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

We are testing family and this year when I noticed right away there was a substantial amount of vocabulary on the exam. For the last 2 years, we have worked on vocabulary-building activities through workbooks and curriculums. I was thrilled when the Crew was offered to review Dynamic Literacy, LLC: Wordbuild Online .

In all honesty, I had never heard of Wordbuild Online until we were presented with the opportunity to review it. At first glance at the website, I was very impressed with the scope and sequence. Wordbuild Online really concentrates on the prefixes and suffixes, Greek, and Latin roots. There are 3 foundation levels reviewing prefixes and suffixes with 25 units per level. After your student masters, these 75 exercises the students will move on to the Elements level which also has 3 levels of 25-36 units of Greek and Latin roots.

The company started all of our Crew accounts at the foundations level and to be honest with you I thought this was a great idea. Having my son started at the beginning was fine with me because I wanted him to take advantage of everything this online platform had to offer. Starting from the beginning also let me know where he was in his knowledge of roots and where I needed to focus our attention. Students are given a placement test at the beginning as well students watch an introductory video about the English language.

Students are recommended to work the 10-15 min lessons 5 days a week. I highly recommend that you do these lessons consecutively. I made this mistake in week one of us using the program and thereafter we worked consistently. Foundations level 1-3 are students 2- 5th grade, but I personally feel students should start at the beginning Wordbuild Online instead of jumping directly to the Greek and Latin roots. Foundations and Elements break the lesson down into 5 different activities. The requirement for

  • Day 1 Affix Square (Foundations)
  • Daty 2 Affix Adder (Foundations )
  • Day 3 Magic Square (Foundations) / Stair Steps (Elements)
  • Day 4 Comprehension Booster (Foundations) / In Other Words (Elements)
  • Day 5 Question Assessment (Foundations) /10 Question Assessment (Elements)

What We Think!

My SON LOVES this program! It is the first thing he does after breakfast, he has been very consistent with the platform. He learning and reviewing so much and enjoying watching himself get better. At first, he was getting a rating score of 2’s and I was concerned maybe we needed to do some review. I just sat back and just observed his work and I realize that Wordbuild Online was presenting these lessons in a different way than he was used to seeing them as pretty basic. Wordbuild Online was teaching him definitions and vocabulary and having him really dissect these words in sentence comprehension. Those few 2’s started turning into 4’s because he had found his rhythm and gotten over the learning curve.

I really like how Wordbuild Online presents the affix, then students define it in their own words using a new word. Then they work on sentence comprehension by using the new word and picking the correct use in the sentence. The students continue to work on many more activities that increase vocabulary, spelling, and review. I love the parent dashboard that is simple and you can reset it if you want your student to rework an affix.

Since using Wordbuild Online the last few weeks our current vocabulary curriculum has taken the backseat because he really prefers this over his book. When it comes time for the Crew to vote for the best vocabulary curriculum for the year we are definitely casting our vote for Wordbuild Online.

Be sure to check out the other Crew reviews of Dynamic Literacy, LLC: Wordbuild Online by clicking the banner below.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordbuild/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DynamicLiteracy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wordbuild_online/