Category: Education

Critical Thinking and Logic, Curriculum, Curriculum Resource, Education, Flex-paced, Homeschool, Math, Middle School Math, Reviews, self-paced

A Game-Changer for Algebra: Hands-On Equations Review!

Little Learner and Mom

We received Hands-On Equations for our honest review. This review may contain affiliate links at no additional charge to you.

I am always on the lookout for educational tools that make complex subjects more accessible and engaging for my child. Hands-On Equations has been a game-changer in our homeschooling journey, especially when it comes to introducing algebraic concepts. We we have been working Pre-Algebra concepts for awhile now and he for the most part he has a strong understanding of the concepts. Now that we are moving into more complex algebraic concepts I wanted to have something in my arsenal just in case we ran into any issues.

My son has always been a tactile and visual learner, the hands-on and interactive nature of this program immediately caught my attention. The use of game pieces and physical manipulative’s transformed abstract algebra into a tangible, visual experience for my child. Watching him move pawns and cubes around to represent variables and constants brought a new level of understanding to equations. The program is recommended for grades 3 and up and you receive every thing you need for instruction.

One of the standout features for us is the program’s ability to foster independent learning. The materials provided are well-organized, and the instructions are clear, allowing my child to work through the lessons on his own. This independence has not only boosted his confidence but also made my role as a facilitator more manageable.

The conceptual understanding that Hands-On Equations promotes is impressive. It goes beyond memorization of formulas, focusing on the underlying principles of algebra. I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my child’s ability to solve equations and grasp fundamental algebraic concepts, setting a solid foundation for future learning.

The instructional materials accompanying the program are comprehensive and user-friendly. The lesson plans are easy to follow, and the worksheets provide ample practice. I appreciate the flexibility of the program, allowing me to adapt it to my child’s pace and learning style.

As a homeschooling parent, adaptability is crucial, and Hands-On Equations delivers in this aspect. It caters to different learning styles, making it suitable for a wide range of students. The program’s hands-on approach is particularly beneficial for visual and kinesthetic learners, adding variety to our homeschooling routine.

Hands-On Equations has exceeded my expectations and proven to be an invaluable resource in teaching algebra. The program’s hands-on, visual approach, coupled with its emphasis on conceptual understanding, has made learning algebra enjoyable and effective for my child. I highly recommend it to fellow homeschooling parents looking for a dynamic and engaging way to introduce algebraic concepts.

Education, Family, Homeschool, Homeschool Family, Homeschool Socialization

Homeschool socialization isn’t a problem for our homeschool with so many options.

Little Learner and Mom

We received Kaipod Learning for our honest paid review.

One of the misconception of homeschooling is the lack of socialization. Let me just tell you that my sons social calendar stays full. Homeschooling is a popular choice for many parents who want more control over their child’s education. One of the concerns that some parents have about homeschooling is the issue of socialization. However, there are many ways that homeschooled children can still experience socialization.

Homeschool Co-Op Groups

One option is to enroll in homeschool co-op groups. These groups consist of other homeschooling families who come together to provide educational and social opportunities for their children. Co-op groups can offer classes, field trips, and other activities that allow kids to interact with their peers.

Local Libraries and Meet Up Groups

Not ready for a homeschool -co-op group and wants to something more flexible? Look into your local libararies and local Facebook and meet up homeschool groups. We have paid visit to a few of our local library homeschool weekly homeschool hangouts that have been great for meeting new people. I belong to several Facebook homeschool groups that plan events for kids and parents.

Field Trips and Online Classes

We have been taking advantage of many of the museums, skating rink, bowling, jump centers and other businesses homeschool days. Many businesses who don’t get a lot of traffic during the school year gladly open their facilities to homeschoolers for homeschool days and offer discounts.

My son has taken so many online classes for homeschoolers and made many friends from all over the world. One of our best homeschool friends live in Japan the boys are always getting together for some Minecraft and game time. Online classes are also growing in popularity several of the leading online class platforms are adding tons of homeschool classes of sorts of variety.

Learning Pods

Homeschooling parents are increasingly turning to learning pods as a way to provide their children with social interaction and academic support. There are several benefits to using learning pods for homeschoolers.

Here recently there has been this new movement of “Learning pods” that is also a great way to increase socialization.Learning pods are small, in-person groups of students who learn together under the guidance of a tutor or a parent. One such program is Kaipod Learning which has several learning pods across many states. Kaipod Learning offers parents with students in 3rd -12th grade a place to learn and choose the curriculum they prefer. Students work at thier own pace while enjoying a community of their own peers. Kaipod Learning offers 2 day, 3 day, and 5 day option. Students arrive at 8:30 and the day ends at 3:30, students set their attendance that works for them. I was able to find one in our area and we are possibly considering it for next school year 2 days a week. Kaipod Learning is a wonderful alternative if you looking for a way to socialize your student and homeschool at the same time.

Firstly, learning pods allow homeschoolers to socialize with their peers in a safe environment. Socialization is a critical aspect of childhood development, and learning pods offer a structured way for children to interact with others within their age group. This is especially important during the current pandemic, where many children are experiencing social isolation.

Secondly, learning pods provide personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. With smaller class sizes, tutors or parents can cater to each child’s learning style and pace. This ensures that children receive individualized attention which can help them excel academically.

Lastly, learning pods can be cost-effective for homeschooling families. By pooling resources and sharing the cost of a tutor or a parent, learning pods can provide high-quality education at a lower cost than traditional homeschooling.

Homeschooled children can also participate in extracurricular activities, such as sports teams or community organizations. These activities provide an opportunity for kids to meet and interact with other children who share similar interests.

In addition, homeschooling allows children to spend more time with their families and develop close relationships with their siblings. This can help them develop strong social skills and the ability to communicate effectively with others.

Overall, while socialization is a valid concern for homeschooling families, there are many ways for homeschooled children to interact with others and develop important social skills.

Coding, Computer Technology, Curriculum, Education, Flex-paced, Games and Apps, Homeschool, Kids and Technology, Online classes, S.T.E.A.M, self-paced

Technology Education with MyTek Lab

Little Learner and Mom

We received MyTek Lab for our honest review. This review may contain affiliate links at no additional charge to you.

In today’s digital age, children are being exposed to technology earlier than ever. They must learn how to use technology responsibly and safely. Parents can encourage their children to explore technology by providing them with age-appropriate devices and software and monitoring their use.

One way to teach kids about technology is through educational games and apps. These can help children learn basic skills such as reading, writing, and math, as well as more advanced skills like coding and problem-solving. Parents can also enroll their children in technology classes or camps like MyTek Lab to further develop their skills.

My son is working his way through the Computer Technology introductory course for ages 8-12 offered on Tuesday afternoons. In the Computer Technology course students will learn programming. This class is designed to be easy to understand and fun to follow. They cover a wide range of topics, including computer skills, coding, web design tools, video game design, and so much more.

Mr. and Mrs. MyTek Lab as well as Little MyTek help students learn to navigate the world of computer technology by creating a positive, encouraging environment for learning. What I really like about this course is that the facilitators understand that kids need time to learn all this information and they continue to encourage the kids to keep pushing through and ask questions in the chat. Mr. MyTek walks the students step by step with in-depth explanations and interactive lessons that students can work alongside him as he moves through the lesson.

MyTek Lab offers flex-paced online computer technology classes for kids. These courses are a great way to introduce children to the world of technology.

Flex Pace is a highly adaptable course alternative designed to cater to students’ varying schedules. This learning approach involves weekly recorded videos and lesson releases, allowing students the convenience to engage with the course content according to their own timelines. Given the rapid and frequent evolution of technology, the potential for outdated material is a concern for learners. However, Flex Pace proactively addresses this issue by continuously updating our content, ensuring that all students have access to the most current material and instructional modules. Recordings will be released each Monday.

MyTek Lab

There is a parent and student dashboard, but the majority of the time you really don’t need to log into the parent dashboard. My son is capable of getting himself in and out of the platform on his own. After the first class, he was a pro maneuvering and he was teaching me because I was so confused about just getting him into the class. MyTek Lab in my honest opinion speaks to children, because I was listening to the class during the session and I wasn’t sure if my son understood everything. When I asked him he said he understood everything and that he in fact loved the class.

At the time of the review we are wrapping up week 3 of live classes and so far my son has learned how to create a pixel avatar, program a game, and program character movement. Each week students learn the lesson, practice, and complete assignments. I really like that the classes are both live and flex pace, my son was a little under the weather in week two and did the flex pace option so he could get caught up with the live class.

I like MyTek Lab because the teachers are friendly and they really want us kids to learn about technology. I don’t feel rushed when we are doing the lesson and Mr. Tek Lab explains a lot in a way kids understand.

Jai 10

MyTek Lab also has superior customer service I was having trouble logging in they were swift about helping me troubleshoot. I appreciate that MyTek Lab is a family family-operated business. I can really tell the owners care about their students and have created exceptional courses to keep children advancing in technology. If you are looking for quality computer courses I highly recommend MyTek Lab they offer five classes in which some of the classes are two parts. The classes schedules for live classes are offered at convenient times. The flex-paces classes are a game changer because give your student the flexibility to go at their own pace.

If you would like to try out MyTek Lab, I highly recommend that you do. New families can contact Jacky (Mrs. MYTEK) at jsouders@myteklab.com for a discounted monthly rate of $15 dollars off of the monthly rate.

Until the Next Time,

Mom and J

Curriculum Resource, Education, Homeschool, homeschool curriculum, Homeschool Family

Elephango a Curriculum Companion!

Little Learner and Mom

We received  Elephango for our honest review. This review may contain affiliate links at no additional charge to you.

Have you ever wanted a companion to help you lesson plan or just a place you could go when you weren’t sure how to present a lesson or concept? Well, Elephango is my new favorite go-to for my planning and resource management for my homeschool. Elephango is an online supplemental learning platform that offers thousands of resources for parents and students.

The Layout

Elephango provides parents and students with their own dashboards. The parent dashboard allows parents to explore the resources, but at the time of setting things up, you will be able to customize the resources that populate on your homepage. You will find resources for K-12, parenting, and adult learning. You can also choose from these categories:

  • Subject Matter
  • Grade
  • Learning or Personality Style
  • Content-Type
  • Lesson or Time Length

There were several features I found beneficial on the platform. I really like that they had an assessment under the Discover Your Style tab. These assessments allowed both my son and I to answer questions that would tell us our learning and personality styles. I discovered some things about my son that I didn’t know, but it gave me insight into his learning styles. This breakdown was really helpful it will help me pick activities that would work for him and better understand his personality. The other great feature was the state standards list. You select your state and they come up on the screen and within each standard, there are hyperlinked resources to help you teach or assign to your student.

So far, I have favored resources for writing, history, science, and math. My son was working on exponents, and I did a search, and fantastic resources came up. One of the resources I selected had interactive games and a Cyberchase video link. That’s another thing about Elephango they have trusted resources and links for children to access. Parents can rest assured that their students can explore in freedom. We saw a few of our favorite resources and platforms link in activities. I almost forgot that every day when you log in there is a lead resource on your dashboard, it is always something really good and you will also see featured, popular, and new lessons. So here is my confession I solely was using Elephango the last few weeks so I could get the hang of it before I introduced it to my son. I have been having so much fun planning and reading resources I almost forgot I needed to share Elephango. You know it’s kind of like my new BFF and you don’t want to share, but you have to.

The resources will sometimes have activities and a supply list handy for you on the right side. Students can read or have it read to them. Then there is the testing of what they learn with resources where students will answer questions to demonstrate what they have learned. Students can also earn badges as they research and learn, I like this form of positive encouragement.

My son is a huge researcher and I know he is going to love Elephango and the jumpstart badges are going to be perfect for him to help get started with Elephango. I have gradually assigned things for him to do, but I want him to still be free to explore on his own.

Who Would Benefit

  • New and Veteran Homeschoolers
  • Teachers
  • Students and Parents
  • Students who show I high interest in research-based learning

There are resources about homeschooling on Elephango which I think all homeschoolers can benefit from looking at and bookmarking.

Overall thoughts, this is my new homeschool companion, when I saw all the writing resources available, I wanted to hug the screen. Then I started to really go through Elephango and realized I struck gold with this platform, and I couldn’t wait to tell my followers. I have told everyone I talked to they have to try this program out. Google Chrome user Elephango has an extension.

For my followers, Elephango was generous enough to provide an exclusive 3-month free trial by using our special discount code: 3monthfreeblog11

So, if you haven’t guessed it yet I love Elephango! I highly recommend you check out this fabulous all-around curriculum companion and independent learner platform. You will not be disappointed.

Don’t forget to use our special discount code: 3monthfreeblog11 so you can sign up for your 3-month free trial and love on Elephango.

Curriculum, Education, Homeschool, Math, Middle School, Middle School Math, Online Math

Mr. D Math: Preparing for Pre-Algebra Review!

Little Learner and Mom

We received Mr. D Math Preparing for Pre-Algebra for our honest review. This review may contain affiliate links at no additional charge to you.

We are entering middle school this year and one of my concerns is ensuring my son has a solid foundation in mathematical concepts. One of the resources we are using this year is Mr. D Math Preparing for Pre-Algebra. Mr. D Math is an online self-paced full math curriculum. The company has an entire course catalog of other courses that include thirteen other topics and live classes.

Before you start your course the guided videos provide you with valuable information for being successful and grading. Also, included is the option to be able to print out your student’s resource pages or homework pages either in one PDF. You also have the option to print per chapter including the answer key. The instructor encourages the student to take notes and work alongside them as they are presenting the lesson. Mr. D Math Preparing for Pre-Algebra has eight chapters that are divided into multiple lessons. Within those lessons, you will also find spiral reviews and quizzes. There are two-semester exams, the first between chapter four and the last at the end of chapter eight.

Lessons

Mr. D Math Preparing for Pre-Algebra videos move at a steady pace that ensures that your student will not get lost along the way. Lessons are short but informative and provide the student with just enough instruction to complete the lesson. Each lesson gives your student an intro about what they’re going to learn it also reminds them about previous lesson skills. Once the lesson starts students will receive math vocabulary, lectures, and examples. During lesson instruction, I reminded my son that he needs to check his worksheets for notes. The instructor provides information in the video for the notes on worksheets. My student take his time and listen to the lecture and then he would continuously pause to make sure that he wasn’t missing the notes.

Mr. D Math Preparing for Pre-Algebra quizzes are only five questions. Keep in mind at the time of this review we are on chapter three of our course. The has two attempts to score a passing grade. I know what you’re thinking only five questions how does that really show if a student really understands the lesson. Let me assure you those five questions have been carefully curated so they cover almost 100% of what was in the lesson. If your student needs the quiz attempt reset just send a quick email to customer service. The other wonderful thing about Mr. D Math’s online platform is the free tutoring session. If your student is struggling there are live tutoring sessions that meet 2 days a week.

His unique and effective approach allows students to understand math as a language, raising their test scores on SAT/ACT/FCAT and other standardized tests.

Mr. D Math

On average each lesson takes about 20-30 minutes. To be honest with you it really depends on your student because they work at their own pace. Some of the lessons are divided into multiple parts. If you’re doing Mr. D Math as your spine curriculum then I would recommend that you do one part each day. For us, we averaged doing two to three lessons a week. We are also still finishing our spine curriculum and Mr. D Math is our supplement. I have noticed my son is covering concepts in Mr. D Math that are in his spine curriculum. I can honestly say having Mr. D’s Math alongside our spine curriculum has really made a difference in my son’s math lessons.

Let’s talk about spiral reviews. The spiral reviews are just that reviews of previously learned concepts along with new ones. It helps demonstrate he can incorporate both old and new information and still be able to continue through the course without frustration and gaps.

There is no extra preparation using Mr. D Math Preparing for Pre-Algebra all I do is print the complete chapter slide in his binder. Mr. D Math Preparing for Pre-Algebra can be done independently and quizzes are self-grading and student input their grades for their worksheets.

The Breakdown

Here are the key points that are of value with Mr. D Math Preparing for Pre-Algebra:

  • Teachers review math concepts via video
  • Identifies learning gaps
  • Sets a strong foundational understanding of math
  • Introduces note-taking in math
  • Mathematical Vocabulary
  • Self-Paced and independent learning driven
  • Student Dashboard
  • Video lessons and free live tutoring sessions
  • Quizzes, Spiral Reviews, Exams
  • Worksheets and solutions for every lesson
  • Transcripts and Self-grading
  • Inexpensive
  • Can be used as a stand-alone curriculum or supplemental

I highly recommend Mr. D Math Preparing for Pre-Algebra, we will be investing in the Pre-Algebra when my son has finished this course. The student dashboard provides lesson tracking, grade book, messages, and complete transcripts. The company also has contests and fun opportunities for the kids to interact in the Mr. D Community. I recently purchased his book called Teach: Creating Independently Responsible Learners. Be on the lookout for our upcoming review of the Digital Music Production course.

Until the next time,

Mom and J

6th Grade, AI Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Critical Thinking and Logic, Curriculum, Education, Homeschool, Middle School, Reviews, Teaching Resources

Khan Academy: Khanmigo First Look

Little Learner and Mom

Hey, guys, I’m jumping on right now to bring you a review that’s probably not like our typical reviews. We were given the opportunity to review the new Khan Academy Khanmigo. If you aren’t familiar with Khanmigo it is Khan Academy’s new AI teacher assistant and learner tutor. I’m gonna be totally honest with you I was a little bit skeptical about the whole AI technology being used in my homeschool. Like many families, we do have several Alexa devices in our home. and So when we were given an opportunity to try out the new Khan Academy Khanmigo AI resource I jumped at the chance to just check it out. 

As of right now, the Khanmigo is not available to the general public but you can eagerly put your name on a waitlist. The platform that we were using was the beta platform. We shared the teacher dashboard but there is an area for learners. Once fully launched Khanmigo will be available to students on their dashboards. Khanmigo’s goal is to be an assistant teacher to help you plan creative lessons. For the student, it is used to be a progressive tutor in which the student facilitates the learning and Khanmigo adapts and tutors.

Khanmigo is a wonderful resource from what I can tell right now. There are lots of prompts and details to tell you how the system works. The AI is very responsive, honestly, I didn’t run into any problems using Khanmigo. I was really impressed at how thoroughly the system works.

Teacher Dashboard

The teacher dashboard has and on the left-hand side of ten activities to choose from:

  • Chat with GPT-4 (Your AI buddy)
  • Class Snapshot ( Lets you see what going on in your classes)
  • Summarize student chat history ( lets you see how your students have been chatting with Khanmigo)
  • Refresh my knowledge ( Lets you pick topics and grade levels you need refreshing on)
  • Create a lesson hook and write exit ticket questions
  • Options for creating lesson plans
  • Write learning objectives
  • Co-create a rubric

The dialogue box is to the right of the activities and this is where you will see your interactions. How I tested Khanmigo’s lesson planning skills is I asked for the AI to create a lesson plan for Meso- America. I was completely blown away. AI the system gave me a complete breakdown of:

  • Objectives/Standards
  • Essential Questions
  • Materials
  • Lesson Hook
  • Lesson Activities
  • Assessment
  • Higher-Order Thinking Questions
  • Extensions Activities
  • Differentiation

Take your teaching to the next level with AI-guided lesson planning and insightful student feedback. Khanmigo frees up our educators’ most limited resource—time.

Khan Academy

Fellow educators let me just tell you, I WAS SHOCKED !!! I want to take this time and thank Khan Academy for saving me HOURS of research and agony. The systems even referenced activities to use within Khan Academy. I then further tested the learning objectives activity on the same topic and the AI helped me come up with and pinpoint my personal own objectives for this topic for my son.

For Learners

The learner’s section of the dashboard also includes a welcome screen and on the left side there were twenty activities that included:

  • Brainstorm admissions essay
  • Grammar and Mechanic check
  • Tutoring Math, Science, Humanities
  • Ignite your curiosity
  • Practice general subjects
  • Practice for Elementary, Middle School, High School, AP Exams, College
  • Debate topics for Elementary, Middle School, and High School
  • Chat with Historical and Literary characters
  • Story writing and writing prompts
  • Vocabulary
  • College and academic and career growth

My son took his turn at Khanmigo and so far he has studied Indigenous Tribes, Civil War, Juneteenth, and Indigenous mounds. He has also used writing prompts and debate topics for middle schoolers. He has also used Khanmigo to help him dig deeper into his physics and history lessons.

Khanmigo mimics a writing coach by giving prompts and suggestions to move students forward as they write, debate, and collaborate in exciting new ways.

Khan Academy

Now I know what you’re thinking is Khanmigo doing all the work for kids and teachers is it taking away the ability to research and be creative. On the contrary, Khanmigo gives students and teachers the skeleton it encourages them to dig deeper into what they have asked about or created. Students are encouraged to use the resources within Khan Academy as well as outside resources. Khanmigo is not about giving your students answers they are testing their knowledge and building upon it. I appreciate that when students type in answers if the answers are wrong or they come close to being correct the system is very encouraging and they help them learn about the topic rather than listing a bunch of facts and historical events. 

Khan Academy Khanmigo receives a huge thumbs up from both my son and myself. There are so many capabilities of this platform. The things I took away from reviewing this Khanmigo are that it saves time, and takes my lesson planning to a new level. I definitely see Khanmigo as an assistant teacher at my homeschool.

Middle Schoolers Thoughts

I really like Khanmigo I was able to learn about topics I am interested in. I also like the writing prompts helper. The writing prompts help me develop my writing with greater details. My favorite area is science, I was able to ask questions and search through my own books, and the internet based on the suggestions Khanmigo gave me. Khanmigo is like having another teacher that helps you learn. I also like Khanmigo because I felt in control of what I wanted to do and learn about.

Final Thoughts

Khan Academy Khanmigo is a great resource for educators and learners. Right now it is in beta testing, so I would hurry and get on the waitlist. In the future, the learners will have their own dashboard. I also foresee Khan Academy Khanmigo getting some tweaks. I am hoping they included a printing option so you can print out the conversations. You can copy and paste your conversation into a Word document which is helpful. We really like Khan Academy Khanmigo and I will be using it more often in our homeschool and for planning purposes. I know my son really likes it so I see it being in high rotation with him as well.

Until the Next Time,

Mom and J

Curriculum, Education, Grammar, Homeschool, Writing

Write by Number Review!

Little Learner and Mom

Let me be completely honest with you my son doesn’t like to write, but this year with our curriculum change he became more open to writing. I don’t think my son’s unwillingness to write has anything to do with his inability to write a sentence I think it has more to do with his not knowing what to write and how to organize his thought.

He is moving into middle school in the upcoming school year. I think it’s time that we really target the writing process and get him excited about writing. I’ve looked at several different curriculums over the last couple of months and Write by Number is one that has continually come up on my searches. I first saw Write by Number on a fellow homeschool mom’s Instagram. I decided to take advantage of their 14-day free trial last fall and tuck this program away as my maybe. I knew right away from the trial that this wasn’t your ordinary writing curriculum the lessons are short and your student does not move on until they have mastered that particular stage in the program. 

What is Write By Number

Write by Number is a comprehensive writing program for students in grades K through 12th grade. The program is also adaptable for students with special needs. There are 12 stages to the program all students start at stage one. The objective is for students to be able to confidently write an 8-page essay once they have completed all 12 stages. The program focuses on teaching your student to write effectively from the start with the use of sentence patterns. Stages can be completed with your student or independently. If you decide to purchase the hardcover curriculum you will receive a student book which is hardcover and a teacher’s book which is softcover. In the teacher’s book, you will find a section on how to use the curriculum. You will also get some background information on the creator and her recommendations. You will also find workshop videos on the website and the customer service is excellent. Write by Number is not just a writing curriculum students will learn :

  • Edit
  • Grammar
  • Usage and Mechanics
  • Build Vocabulary and Spelling Skills

Student Book

Students will need a separate notebook and it is recommended they use pens that are not erasable. I would also suggest having some kind of different color correction pen to do edits. Each stage is different and builds upon the previous stage. Students will continue to work through all the stages as they continue to learn a new stage as they continue to progress.

The student book can be used with dependent and independent learners. The book is written to the student so it makes an independent student feel confident that this is not your typical lesson. In the back of the student book, you will find grammar worksheets. The worksheets are to be done in your student’s writing notebook separately. What I did notice is that the worksheets don’t necessarily correspond with the stages in sequence so you need to be sure that when your student is using the appropriate worksheet. Students will always know what stage they’re on because they can look on the right side of the lesson book. On the left side is the paragraph structure for the lesson. I find having the noted stage in the margin is helpful for the student because it teaches them to organize their writing.

Teachers Book

The teacher’s book is comprehensive it gives you insight into the creator and how to use the program. At the beginning of each stage, there is a complete overview of the lesson that includes:

  • Common Core Standards
  • Teacher Resources
  • Student Materials

The teacher’s book also makes suggestions of what worksheets to use and the writing evaluation checklist. There are supportive scripts for you to use with your student if you helping your student complete lessons. The directions for each stage are simple with examples and easy to follow.

How it Works

In Stage 1 (power sentence) students will work on sentence structure using the keyword two. The power sentence sets the tone for future paragraphs. I like using the phrase power sentence better than the topic sentence for students. At first, my son found this assignment a little bit tedious. He soon found out that it wasn’t exactly tedious at all, because we spent two weeks just in stage 1. Stage one is your basic how to write a sentence, capitalization, and punctuation. I have no idea why it was such a struggle for him to use the word two in his sentence, but he was having some issues. You and your learner can decide how many sentences you want your student to write in this assignment. We decided on writing two sentences, but he was puzzled about coming up with two sentences that are quality. Observing my son struggle a little bit with this requirement, put things in perspective for me. He has been writing short stories, reports, and essays all year. His issue was not punctuation, content, and grammar. The issue that was hindering his writing was how to organize his thoughts.  The reason why I hadn’t caught this problem earlier is because he and I have always done partnership writing. Needless to say, we did a lot of rewriting in the first week. The second week in stage one was spent building quality sentences and correcting edits.

Lesson Layout

  1. Students write the date in the margin of their notebook page.
  2. Students work on the stage lesson.
  3. Proofread
  4. Rewrite Sentences
  5. Cross youth the original sentences if there were edits
  6. Repeat steps 1-5 if needed

Stage two students are required to write three sentences paragraph. Stage two lesson went over a lot better, his confidence was through the roof. I am happy to report that he did it independently and produced two quality three paragraphs. We only had to do a rewrite once and he was so proud of himself. He read the lesson on his own and completed the assignment. We edited together and he did the rewrite. This time around he was more open to correcting his mistakes and rewriting his sentences. I also noticed his sentences were quality and well thought out. The best part was I had nothing to do with what he wrote!

So, here we are starting stage three at the time of this review. We do Write by Number three days a week and the lessons take 15 mins to complete. I like the rhythm of spending two weeks on each stage and since this is a curriculum that will grow with us over the next few years. I don’t feel rushed to get it done by a certain timeline. I appreciate that Write by Number can be used alongside your current language arts curriculum. Watching my son write his power sentence and rereading his own work, with no assistance from me makes me feel we are on a better track for successful writing.

Hence, I highly recommend Write by Number especially if you have a beginner, reluctant writer, or experienced writer. The lessons are simple and they teach the student to learn how to write correctly using proper grammar, organization, and creativity. To my surprise, my son told me a few weeks ago he wanted to start guest writing on my blog. We recently published his first blog review. It is homeschool convention time if you happen to see the Write by Number booth I highly recommend you stop by and check out the curriculum. At the time of this review Write by Number is still offering its free trial. The cost of Write by Number starts at $99, you also have the option to do the digital pdf reader option at a monthly or yearly cost. If you use Homeschool Planet Write by Number lessons plans are available for $9.95. Check out the trial you won’t be a disappointment. Be sure to check out all of the Write by Number social media platforms by clicking the links below.

Until the Next Time,

Mom

Website: https://writebynumber.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writebynumber/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/write_by_number/
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oVQSl8

Education, Homeschool, Science, Uncategorized

Generation Genius Home Kit Review !

Little Learner and Mom

We are testing out science kits for the upcoming school year. Generation Genius Home Kits are at the top of our list. This fun-filled box has everything. My son loved it!

If you aren’t familiar with Generation Genius are online science platform for grades K-8 grade. They follow almost 100% of all the state standards. The company is also partnered with National Science Teaching Association.

The online video platform covers topics for science and math depending on your subscription choice. Subscription also includes

  • Lesson Plans
  • Vocabulary
  • Test and Quizzes
  • Reading Materials
  • Projects

New Home Kits

The company recently released its own Generation Genius Home Kits to be delivered to your house once a month for ages 9-14. This is a separate subscription available monthly or yearly. Each kit contains 3 high-quality experiments with all the supplies you need. Experiments are fun and comprehensive. Your student will engage with Jeff as he walks your student step by step through what they are doing including safety precautions and self-pausing in the video so your students can gather supplies and complete each step. The videos also include an explanation of the science topic covered.

The Review

We are long time customers of Generation Genius since they first launched. My son has always loved their videos and they were a great supplement when we were still trying to figure out the science curriculum in our early days of homeschooling. I was surprised when opened the box at the quality of the materials. My son instantly started pulling things out of the box and was ready to work.


It was close to dinner time and I didn’t want my son on a screen so I told him to grab the box and work on an experiment. While I cooked dinner he set up like Steve instructed and he only needed my help with putting his gloves on. Well, I was nosey and I wanted to see what the box was about because my son started saying “This is cool” and “Wow”. So I turned off the tacos and went sat in and watched. Umm, I was totally JEALOUS I wanted to do the experiment too.

My son worked on experiment #1 in the kit and wanted to do the next one. I encourage him to pace himself and do another one the following week. He agreed but not before I promised that we would get the Generation Genius Home Kits monthly. I happily agreed because the cleanup was fast and simple and Jeff even walked them through cleaning up. The one experiment had 3 activities for my son to do. In my honest opinion if we can do 3 activities from 1 experiment the cost is well worth it.

Cost

Generation Genius Home Kits start at $49 and the online platforms start at $95. Right now at the time of this review, you can get your first kit free just pay to ship.

I highly recommend this kit if you are looking for a quality science kit. The materials are quality and your kids will be amazed at the experiments.

Mom and J!

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