Archive for Geometry
It’s a New Day!
Posted by: | CommentsWow, so much has changed since I began teaching my children at home, back in the dark ages, or so it seems some days. When we began homeschooling there were few companies that wrote or published curriculum geared toward the unique needs of educating at home. Now, not only are there several companies on board and promoting materials for homeschool use, but there are also online programs being created for this vast community. It’s a new day for home education!
K5 Learning is an outstanding, online reading and math enrichment program!
Click the K5 graphic above for Sample Lessons
Geared for Kindergarten through Grade 5, it is a student paced, individualized learning program, based on skill level, not grade level. Even in light of other online programs we have used, my children agreed that K5 Learning is consistently challenging, but not frustratingly impossible. I like it because it has repeated spoken instructions allowing even young students to work independently.
There are 1,500 reading tutorials with more than 3,000 activities, and over 1,200 math lessons and activities. These are not random. They are sequenced lessons that prompt continued mastery of the subject. Each session is a 5-10 minute tutorial, then practice, and quiz over new material.
Click graphic above for Math details
K5 Math is comprehensive. It covers – Numbers & Operations, Geometry, Measurement, Algebra, and Data Analysis. The Math Facts encourage “instant recall of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division tables. Unlike computerized drill programs, K5 Math Facts does not generate questions randomly. It records every response a child makes, continually analyses what facts your child has mastered or need further practice at, and generates questions based on that child’s needs. This makes K5 Math Facts far more efficient at teaching math facts than a typical drill program.”
Click Math Facts graphic above to view demo
The Reading Enrichment encompasses Reading Curriculum & Comprehension, Phonics and Phonemic Awareness, Sight Words, Vocabulary, and Spelling. K5 Spelling has a 150,00 word database, and “is far beyond your typical online spelling program.”
Additionally, K5 Learning keeps parent’s up-to-date with regular student progress reports.
per year – 1st child $199
additional child $129
per month – 1st child $25
additional child $15
K5 offers a 14-day FREE TRIAL that includes a reading assessment and a math assessment.
Click assessment graphic above for more information.
My crew mates have shared their opinions and you’ll find them by clicking the graphic below and following the link.
Comments or Questions?
phone - 888.281.2145
write -
K5 Learning
510-4438 West 10th Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6R 4R8
or facebook
I’m excited about the new options for home educators and I think you will be, too! Please, follow the links I’ve provided and browse the K5 Learning website. Let me know what you think.
Blessings,
A trial period of this product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks for your comments.
*Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Clever Dragons Discount!
Posted by: | CommentsClever Dragons launches it’s smart fun for boy’s only, today! My son has been waiting weeks for this, as I wrote in my review of a scoop of laughter, a scoop of learning, Always Icecream, for girl’s only!
I’ll be posting a review of this site, soon, but couldn’t wait to tell you that Clever Dragons is online and they are offering a discounted membership rate for a limited time only.
* Now through November 27th *
Launch Special Price
$39.99 for Lifetime Membership
No promo code needed.
Find Clever Dragons on facebook for the latest updates.
Blessings,
Clever Dragons, nor anyone affiliated with them, asked me to write this post. I received no compensation and any expressed opinions are my own.
Thanks for your comments. PK
For Girls Only!
Posted by: | CommentsFinding one’s place in a big family can sometimes be difficult. Having something that belongs just to you or that didn’t belong to a sibling before you doesn’t happen often, but sometimes it’s nice. It’s a little affirmation that you are one-of-a-kind and not just part of the group. I look for ways to let my children know that I see them as individuals.
Our youngest daughter is the youngest of 11. She loves her position, but we’ve made it a point to let her know that she wasn’t an afterthought. She was/is wanted and she is an important part of our family. It would be easy for everything she owns – clothes, toys, books & games – to be a hand-me-down, much is, but not all. Truly, she probably wouldn’t even mind, but I would; so, when I recently had the opportunity to review an ad-free learning website, for girls only, I was just a wee-bit excited about the possibilities! I wasn’t disappointed.
Always Icecream is geared for girls, ages 7-12, and it looks like it was created just for them. It’s pink and fun, and frufru and fun, and cute & sweet and fun! Much to my youngest son’s dismay, the website for boys only hasn’t been completed, yet, but I hear it is in the works. If I’d allow it, he’d learn & play right alongside his sister, but since I haven’t, he can not wait for his site! Why have a site, for girls only? My guys and girls get along very well together. My guys are a little more sensitive, considerate and compassionate and my girls are comfortable catching bugs and fishing, because of their interaction with each other, but it’s not that way in every home or classroom.
- “Online games for girls are games that have been specifically designed to meet the interests and curiosity of girls. This gender-focus makes it possible that “girls can be girls” without the fear of being bothered by boys who tend to make fun of everything that girls consider “cute.”
- “Within the target age group of 7-12 years, children’s preferences and ways in which they can be motivated tend to be influenced by gender. Collaborative play (girls) versus competitive play (boys) and girls tend to be attracted by virtual goods that are “decorative”, such as clothes, versus “useful”, such as machines or armor.”
“Notwithstanding the differences in brain development and socialization, Always Icecream is adamantly opposed to stereotypes such as “girls are not interested in science or math.” The site challenges its young members to engage in learning activities across a broad spectrum of subjects:
Language Arts
Math (basic and advanced)
Science
Computer Skills
Geography
History
Foreign Languages
Music & Arts
and Religious Education
I asked my daughter for her opinion of Always Icecream. She said, and I quote:
“I love it! You get to make your own house and you get your own pet. It’s fun! The learning is still fun, too. I am learning, you know. There are so many activities, I can’t even tell you! I’m practicing typing and I’m learning my states. Want me to show you? I’m getting higher and higher in my math and I got all of the Bible questions right, last time, because we had just learned about two of them in Children’s Church! The pet world thingy-place is my favorite! The pets can play games and do stuff. You can buy them accessories, (yes, that’s her word. We are big Fancy Nancy fans, but I’ll save that for another time) like a necklace or a bow. You use your $coops to buy stuff. ($coops is the earned currency in the Always Icecream world.) You buy them food and feed them, like carrots for the rabbit, not bacon or dog bones, of course. You give them cuddles and love and their hearts go up! I already said it, I just love it!“
School time. Learning time.
Play time. Reward time.
Parental participation, behind the scenes, is encouraged. Parents sign-up to receive a progress report, once a week, and may choose a number of $coops to be rewarded for special in-real-life projects, chores or accomplishments. My kids are on a rotation to clean the cat’s litter box. Our youngest was rewarded $coops for doing it without having to be reminded. Granted, she would like to go to Dairy Queen in the future for real-world ice cream in exchange for a real-world chore, but since she usually only gets a “thank you” she thought getting $coops was actually “pretty cool.”
The girls earn $coops currency for completing their learning tasks, challenges, games & videos. They create a mini-me avatar and can switch her clothes, buy rooms for the house and purchase furniture, pets and more. My girl loved this!
There is also a social feature available, set up by the parent, that enables or not, the girls to “make friends” and communicate with one another safely through Always Icecream. Although we didn’t choose to activate this feature, I do appreciate the excellent safety measures that are in place for the girls. Click the graphic below for more information.
* $4.99 per month * $29.99 per year * $99.99 for a lifetime membership *Take a quick tour of the site and try out FREE GAMES before you buy. “Satisfaction guaranteed: Your daughter will have fun and learn relevant skills – or you get your money back!”
You’ll want to read more reviews by my crew mates and their girls. Click the TOS banner below to get the full $coop!
Contact:
email – feedback@always-icecream.com
or visit
Blessings to you and your girls,
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
*Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
My Latest Discovery
Posted by: | CommentsIn some circles, I might be known as a curriculum junkie. Did you know, they actually make t-shirts for us? I’ve often joked that I could not have been a public school teacher because I would have spent my meager income on supplies, tools and visual aids for my students and classroom. Can one ever have enough of these? Keeping my class limited to my own children has kept it manageable, most of the time. My heart races a bit at the beginning of the school year, when create-a-classroom and outfit-a-student items go on sale! It delights me when I discover a new curriculum. You might think that as long as I have been homeschooling there wouldn’t be much new to me, but you would be wrong. Sometimes, I think I’ve lived in a cave! There are new products being developed every day, and there are many that have been around for years that I didn’t know existed. Students learn in different ways and what may work for one might as well be written in a foreign language for all the help it is to another; so, I’m always looking for the best fit for my crew.
My latest discovery is AIMS Education Foundation, with the emphasis on my, because they were established in 1981, giving them more than 25 years experience in education. They are “dedicated to producing math and science materials that will engage students and build conceptual understanding.”
Thanks to The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Review Crew, I recently had the opportunity to use and review Area Formulas for Parallelograms, Triangles & Trapezoids, for grades 6-8. An 80 page teacher’s book with CD Rom access to printable pdf. pages.
This single book is a great supplement to our math curriculum and it retails for only $9.95. (Even better is the Essential Math: Measuring Dimensions, set of 7 books, that saves you 15% by purchasing them all at the same time. It’s $59.20.) There are 15 days of lessons, comprised of 5 components:
- Investigations * Hands-on activities. Cutting-up parallelograms, triangles and trapezoids; forming, combining and manipulating to reinforce formulas and see their interrelatedness.
- Comics * Used as instruction and review of the investigations. We expected “funny,” and were initially disappointed that these are not humorous in any way. They are drawings, with text bubbles, depicting interaction between student and teacher. Academic instruction using common speech.
- Animation * A visual summary of the important formulas and techniques.
- Problem Solving * Activities that help students apply and retain concepts.
- Assessment * An opportunity to test the level of understanding gained.
Visit their website at www.aimsedu.org and read how AIMS got started. You’ll find their store there, too! It’s one of my new favorite places, with their Small Group – Homeschool Lab kit, that I found under Labs, Kits & Components, for $122.95.
You will also want to browse through -
- Activity Books
- E-Activities
- Essential Math
- Classroom Sets
- Literature Links
- Math Resources
- State-Specific Science
- AIMS Magazine
Contact:
AIMS Education Foundation
P.O. box 8120
Fresno, CA 93747
Call – 1.888.733.2467
For classroom, homeschool, summer bridge, intervention or after school, explore the benefits of
AIMS Education Foundation for your family. I think you’ll be glad you did.
Blessings,
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
*Contents and photographs of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
10/10
Posted by: | Comments
An online math program that can stand alone or supplement your child’s curriculum.
“Ten Marks offers lessons and personalized programs that cover all the core math skills and concepts your child will need…”
Ten Marks offers a free assessment for your child and will build a personalized curriculum for them, based on the results. It services grades 3-10, but I think it has a bit of flexibility.
The creators say that this program is based on 3 simple principles:
- Personalized Learning Makes All The Difference.
- On-Demand Instruction Provides Help When You Need It.
- Practice Builds Confidence And Improves Achievement.
As the parent, you sign-up your child and he/she is given assignments according to grade level. You can actually choose the number of worksheets given each week. The default is 4, which works well for my two that are using this program. You can choose as few as 3 to as many as 7, according to ease and progress. Remember, these are tailored to each individual.
Video lessons
and
hints
are available to help complete each worksheet.
There are practice pages and tests. A current report card can be viewed by you or your child and there are printable certificates of mastery awarded when a skill is completed. A unique system of reward is built into Ten Marks. As a number of worksheets are done, games are unlocked. My children have a set time to work on assignments and when they unlock a game they get additional time to play.
“Drive the taxi using the maximum possible speed. Press the arrow keys to dodge other cars, accelerate and decelerate, and press the space bar to jump over them.”
You can also customize a reward for each child, e.g., 20 completed worksheets = 20 minutes on the Wii, or 30 completed worksheets = a Sonic milkshake; it is posted on their page as an ever present motivation toward a goal.
HERE is a video of “how it works,” by Ten Marks.
You can use the entire system for free AND there is a money back guarantee, if you are not satisfied after purchase. I think they can offer a money back guarantee because they are confident in your satisfaction. Ten Marks has excellent customer service and it is their desire to see your child achieve the highest marks they can in math.
China shouldn’t test higher than our children in mathematics! 10/10 can be achieved with Ten Marks.
Pricing is per child:
- $10 a month
- $49 for six months
- $89 for 12 months
Contact ~
Address:
38 Glen Avenue
Newton, MA 02459
Email:
info@tenmarks.com
and
The TOS banner below will take you to more reviews of this program.
Encouragement and Blessings,
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Our newest addition… Aleks
Posted by: | CommentsAlas, there is no new child in our home, but there is a new discovery.
Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces “is a web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system that uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student knows and doesn’t know in a course.”
In November, I was asked to use and review the ALEKS online math program for one month. This was my first opportunity to use such a full service web-based program. Use it, we did…thoroughly, often and on-going, for each of my children, elementary through college.
THE question in our house for the past month has been, “Did you do your Aleks, today?” Not once did I have to coax, prod, plead, bribe, threaten or even demand that any of my children do their math for the day. ALEKS assessed each of their strengths and weaknesses and placed the results in pie form.
They enjoyed the freedom and independence of choosing which subject they would work toward mastering. If they got it, ALEKS would add to their pie, if they didn’t seem to understand it, ALEKS picked up on it and gave them review. ALEKS graded each problem and confirmed answers or errors, assigned tests and reassessments as needed AND sent me a progress report.
Watch this video and see Aleks in Action in less than 2 1/2 minutes.
Curious about what ALEKS might do for you? Here’s a sample:
- Addition/Subtraction, Multiplication/Division Practice = Quick Tables
- Elementary, Middle School and High School
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Pre Calculus
- Trigonometry
- Math for College success
- Prep for GED mathematics
- Review for AP Calculus
- Review for AP Physics
- Business math
- Prep for College Physics
- Higher education Chemistry
You can browse the full Course Library, including recommendations by grade level and course descriptions.
ALEKS is correlated with common core state standards for all 50 states, grades 3-12. Their customer service is outstanding!
I want you to check out ALEKS, for yourself. I think it is an exceptional program and because you’ve read this review you have an opportunity to try ALEKS, free, for 1 month.
This is a $19.95 value, per student, per month. When you discover how much you really like them, check out their family discounted rates. It seems expensive, but I broke down the cost and came up with surprising results. My 6 students, for 6 months of access 24/7 is only 50 cents a day per student (figured on an actual 25 days of use, each). There is not a math tutor anywhere that I can hire for that amount.
My crew mates have also posted reviews of this program and you can find those at http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783474.
Blessings,
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
KBTeachers
Posted by: | CommentsBusy minds and hands tend to stay out of mischief. Granted, I am not one for busy work, just for the sake of being busy, but… I appreciate being able to give one of my children a work sheet to occupy and sometimes even stretch their mind, while I’m helping another with a problem.
KBTeachers has been offering free and premium worksheets, activities and printable pages since 1998. Founded by Christophe Popper, it was originally Knowledge Bears. They have accumulated more than 10,000 pages; yet, if they don’t already have what you need, they will create it or at the least, help you find it.
“ABC worksheets, to 20 page exams.” The team at KBTeachers is not sitting back and resting on their laurels. Though, they also developed KBears, 2006 Finalist of
They strive to improve and update regularly, giving you a myriad of options. Categories include:
For This Season 
- Thanksgiving
- Fall Themed Activities
- November Webquests
English Language
- Alphabet Factory
- Learning Cursive
- Grammar Writing
Math Activities 
- Math with Images
- Counting Money
- Addition Worksheets
- Subtraction
- Multiplication Makers
- Division Practice
- Telling Time
- Themed Math
- Classic Math
Science Workbooks
- Astronomy Activities
- Geology Workbooks
- Weather & Climate
Biology Worksheets
- Human anatomy
- Nutrition Worksheets
- Marine Biology
- Plants & Microbiology
Social Studies 
- Workbooks & Maps
More Activites 
- Dino Workbooks
- The Four Seasons
- Visual Arts and Crafts
- Free Clip Art
- Mixed Basic Skills
You can view every page and have unlimited access with a 10 day Free Trial. Just $29.00 for a 1 year membership, after your trial period, or the better offer of $49.00 for 2 years. If you are not completely satisfied, after 30 days, you are guaranteed your money back.
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Marinated in Math
Posted by: | Comments
Math is not my favorite dish. It wasn’t when I was learning it and the feeling wasn’t any different when I started teaching it. It isn’t a flavor I care for. That may be about to change though, because of Math Tutor DVD and Jason Gibson.
My children and I recently used The Pre-Algebra Tutor: Vol. 1 and The Texas Instruments TI-83/TI-84 Calculator Tutor.
Pre-Alg. Vol. 1 has 5 hours of run time with sections covering real numbers and the number line; adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing integers; powers and exponents. (I’ve browsed Vol. 2. It is a 7 hour DVD, beginning with factors and multiples, working through fractions and expressions; ending with single step equations.) For some of us it was a review and for a couple of my younger ones it was brand new, but we all voted it “sweet”. Jason, the tutor, has the ability to cut the mathematical processes into bite size pieces, making them easily palatable; nourishing understanding of the concept and adding a side of confidence. He begins the Pre-Algebra by saying he wants you to go through the DVD, without pencil or paper, first. Sit through it; marinate in it. There’s no force feeding here! Jason’s method of teaching works, and in fact it is “guaranteed to raise grades immediately. If you are not fully satisfied, simply send the DVD back for a full refund.”
The TI-84/TI-83 tutor teaches you how to use all of the functions of the calculator by actually working example problems, not just handing you a manual. Simmer through 8 hours of teaching, covering 37 sections and you can’t help but absorb and improve your usage.
These DVD’s are available at MathTutorDVD.com, or you can call: 1-877-628-4383 to place your order. You pay shipping/handling on the 1st DVD only. MathTutorDVD.com has Basic Math for elementary and middle school, Algebra (Pre-, 1, 2, and College level), Geometry, Calculus (Pre- and Advanced), Physics and more. Each course is seasoned with working examples, multiple servings of problems and step by step solutions. Jason begins with small morsels of information and builds concept upon concept.
The two courses I reviewed, The Pre-Algebra Tutor: Vol. 1 and The TI-84/TI-83 Calculator Tutor are currently on sale for $26.99 each. In my opinion, all of the DVD’s are moderately priced for the portion you receive. $19.95 per month (with the option to cancel at any time) will give you immediate online access to 170 hours of tutorials, download worksheets, participate in discussion forums and generally feast on mathematics, if you choose.
We like the taste of Math Tutor! I’ve added it to our curriculum menu for this year. I ordered Math Help: 1st – 7th Grade Math Tutor and 1st – 7th Grade Math Tutor Companion Worksheet CD (500 pages of worked problems AND solutions.) Looks like a no-risk, guaranteed, recipe for success!
I’ll keep you updated on our progress and if you order a course yourself, let me know what you think of it.
Blessings,
This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
