Archive for math
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.
Good Education
Posted by: | CommentsI want to give my children the opportunity of a good education. After feeding them and clothing them, sometimes, the cost is greater than my budget.
This isn’t the case with KinderBach.
“KinderBach provides a solid music foundation for the children while, at the same time, overlapping and enhancing basic math and language skills.” Designed for beginners, ages 3-7. It is good education.
Karri Gregor is the fun, energetic author, illustrator and educator of KinderBach. She uses memorable piano pals, Frisco, Dodi, and friends, to teach note reading, rhythm, singing, composition, and more, reinforcing the value of each lesson with coloring pages, worksheets, and games.
Piano for young children. The lessons are child-friendly, quick and easy! More than 240, 10 minute lessons, achieving 6 levels. DVD/CD packages starting at $40.45 +s/h or an instantly accessible online subscription for $95.88 per year. That makes it good education within budget! That’s just $7.99 per month or less than 30 cents a day for a music tutor, no scheduling conflicts and no gas money. I didn’t even factor in the 30% off you can get, until February 2013, when you use coupon code TOScrew2012.
I first discovered KinderBach last year, and since then there have been some exciting changes. You can still use the program on your computer, even streaming to your TV, but now, you can also use it with iPad, Android Tablet, Nook, or Kindle Fire!
They still have their 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, plus all DVD’s & CD’s have a lifetime replacement if damaged for any reason. There’s really no risk because KinderBach also offers a two week free trial, before you pay for anything.
Take a few minutes to follow the links I’ve posted here, to the KinderBach website. It’s simple to navigate and full of great information!
Still have Comments or Questions?
Email – info@KinderBach.com
Phone – 563.332.0587
Write -
KinderBach LLC
P.O. Box 181
LeClaire, IA 52773
or
You can also choose from nearly a hundred other reviews, viewpoints, written by my crew mates, when you click the graphic below.
I think learning is simply fun and affordable with KinderBach at Home.
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 of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
It is FRACTAZMIC!
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve found that the best way, or at least the yummiest way, to teach fractions, and actually make them stick, is in the kitchen. Measuring to mix a batch of gooey, chocolate fudge brownies, cutting a veggie-loaded pizza or slices of hot apple pie, or adding the measures that triple a recipe of Gramma’s Homemade Chicken and Noodles, so they’ll be enough for this crew. The problem I’ve found, there is no way I can cook enough, or we can eat enough, for my students to thoroughly practice using fractions. The more you use fractions the easier they are to use.
Fractazmic (TM) is a 60 card game of fraction-practice-fun! Created for 1st-8th grades, and beyond! It’s from I See Cards (TM), the maker of the award winning Pyramath (TM) game.
Using colorful cards, with easy-to-grasp graphics, it teaches fractions, numbers and measurement and there’s no dishes to wash! My children learn to convert and add fractions, reinforce the relationship between fractions and measurements and show real world use of fractions, without the added expense of chocolate chips or vanilla bean ice cream!
There are three sets of color coded cards – sixteenths, twelfths, and tenths. The object is to make sets of cards that equal one whole. When a player has used all of his cards the game ends and the player with the most sets of 1 whole, wins. We played this game, and others using this deck. My youngest daughter’s favorite is Go Fish! She learned to recognize the fraction on the card and the proper way to say it – one half, four sixteenths, etc., while enjoying the thrill of beating her older sister at a game! Dr. Ron teaches Fractazmic Trap and Fractazmic Rummy in his free download, Math Success Booklet.
My view ~ “Educational fun for a fraction of the cost!” Truly, the game is only $6.95 or play Fractazmic (TM) Speed Version online; if your speed is the fastest, you could win a free deck of cards. Warning: Online Fractazmic can become addicting.
If you have comments, questions, orders, need support or have an idea for new cards:
email – corporate@iseecards.com
You’ll find other reviews when you click the graphic below and read what my TOS crew mates have to say about I See Cards (TM) and Fractazmic (TM).
I hope you enjoy this game as much as we have enjoyed it. My husband said, “Finally, a way for you to teach fractions without having to feed the neighborhood!”
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.
Thank you 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.
Hands-On
Posted by: | CommentsI love hands-on learning! Building. Creating. Going. Doing. Definitely more of an action-verb sort of teacher, rather than a state-of-being type. I’m not fond of seat work, although it has it’s place and I use it.
I love Pitsco Education! They are the epitome of relevant, hands-on learning activities and they are dedicated to student success.
Pitsco has been a leader in education for 40 years. They “offer a robust array of STEM-oriented [Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math] classroom solutions.” Their classroom kits would work well for co-op groups, but they also have full line of individual, homeschool kits, available. They care about their students, their teachers AND their reputation. Therefore, they are constantly seeking to improve and expand their product line, “providing students with the most positive and meaningful experiences possible,” while maintaining an exceptional system of customer support.
Our most recent experience with Pitsco Education involved learning about and building a catapult and a trebuchet, using their Medieval Machine Pack. It retails for $21.95, includes a Trebuchet Kit, Catapult Kit, Mass Plates, and the Seige Machines Book.
From the website: “Teach basic math, science, and problem-solving skills. With this pack, your child learns about catapults and trebuchets through hands-on activities that cover three areas:
- Science: Tension versus torsion, elasticity, gravity and levers, and force and motion
- Math: Metric conversion, calculating averages, and prediction
- Experiments: Mass versus distance, testing rubber bands, targeting, and more.”
This pack is designed for use by Intermediate – Middle School age students, but all of us in my house, elementary through high school and adult, gained knowledge with this hands-on activity. The kit activities did require some additional items such as measurement and hand tools, all of which we already had in the house.
Here’s a look at our catapult assembling journey ~
Contact:
Mail -
Pitsco Education
P.O. Box 1708
Pittsburg, KS 66762
Call –
800.828.5787
or
800.835.0686
For more detailed information about Pitsco, please, follow the many links I’ve included throughout this post. You can also read other reviews, by my TOS crew mates, when you click the graphic banner below.
Take a few minutes and explore Pitsco Education. It could have a positive impact on your curriculum at best and a definite influence on your Christmas list, in the least.
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.
Thank you for your comments. I’d love to hear about YOUR favorite Pitsco Education product.
*Contents of this blog and photographs are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
It’s Big, Really Big!
Posted by: | CommentsTo say something is mammoth is to say it is something of great size. My kids would interchange it with ginormous, a word they’re sure they used before anyone else even thought of it. Personally, I like colossus – of gigantic size and proportions.
My latest review is for Math Mammoth and it’s big, really big! Maria Miller, the author, has put together multiple math options for your student. Hundreds of pages of text and worksheets, organized as a complete curriculum, for grades 1-6, or as work texts and worksheets, by topic or grade level, through the 8th grade.
She has devoted more than ten years to creating math resources and this effective curriculum that is available as an instant download and in printed books. She’s packaged over 300 sample worksheets that can be used for FREE.
It is also no small thing that Math Mammoth is affordable. $34.00 per download, per grade level or work text (worksheets and text in the same book), by topic, for $2 – $7 each, and several discounted package deals. In today’s economy this is huge!
Over the years we have used several different math programs. Some have been successful and some were duds, according to the learning bent of my child, not necessarily the merits of the program. Math curricula are not one size fits all.
Basically, Math Mammoth focuses on one concept at a time – in depth – approaching a problem from different angles – until that concept is mastered. Therefore, thinking is challenged, and mental math acquired and honed. I have discovered, finally, that this is the perfect environment for one of my sons. The lessons appear “clutter free” to him. They are clear and concise, and he understands what he is expected to learn. He concentrates on it, studies it until he’s “got it,” then checks it off in his mind as conquered and moves on to the next topic. My daughter, on the other hand, finds it “rather boring and monotonous” and performs much better when stimulated by variety and repetition.
It is monumental to me, as a parent/teacher, that Maria Miller has developed a FREE placement test for each of the grades. I was unsure, for a couple of my children, what grade level they had attained in math. I thought there might be a few conceptual gaps in their education, but I wasn’t even sure what was missing. So, I had no idea where to start with this program. Maria suggested that I give the children a placement test and then submit the results to her. She personally analyzed the results with me and advised me, based on her own extensive experience and education, on which course would be best for my son. Her guidance and support has been an immense help.
My crew mates reviewed the series of books offered by Math Mammoth and I have attached links throughout this post to give you more detailed information ~
Click the TOS graphic below to read what they thought of each option. The Light Blue Series book that we’ve been using has made an impressive positive impact on my son’s view of math and his own level of capability.
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.
Thank you for your comment!
*Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
FREE College
Posted by: | CommentsI am not blind. I actually have good eye sight, but sometimes I feel like I’m stumbling around in the dark. This is especially true when trying to help my teens prepare for college.
Just as I imagine Braille changes the life of a person without sight, College Prep Genius has the potential to change the life of the college-bound student. They both offer hope, through real applications and solutions.
Did you know that test prep should start in a student’s freshman year? The PSAT/NMSQT can be taken even earlier and good scores can have a tremendous affect on college acceptance and tuition. Consistent study and familiarizing practice time takes the paralyzing fear of the unknown out of the test taking. If you have expectations for college, start your research now.
“Going to college today can be extremely expensive and a student can incur long-lasting debt that can follow him or her for many years. The truth is, 50% of college is paid for by loans, 40% by grants and about 10% actually comes from scholarships. The good news is that college can be within the reach for just about everyone. There are many ways students can receive scholarships as well as FREE college!”
College Prep Genius is designed to increase standardized test scores, aiming to secure scholarships and assistance to pay for college. Master the SAT Class DVD is a 10 hour course, taught in 45 minute segments, over 12 lessons. ($59.95) Everything in the DVD is also thoroughly covered in the textbook. ($49.95) And, there is a companion workbook. ($19.95)
The lessons walk the student through each section of the SAT:
Critical Reading - learn to cut your time in half.
Math – learn to recognize patterns and eliminate questions from the start.
Writing – learn to write an exemplary essay in 15 minutes.
Plus ~
350 tips, shortcuts and strategies
Math terms
Latin roots, prefixes; suffixes
and
More than 30 scholarship websites
College Prep Genius teaches techniques and even tricks, to get correct answers quicker, that can raise your SAT score as much as 600 points.
This is a student-friendly course, each lesson can be paced to the student; viewed repetitively or not. The author, Jean Burk, is an outstanding instructor. Her enthusiasm for SAT Prep Success is irresistible! Being properly equipped for any task builds confidence. It is logical that confidence in your test preparation would help you excel in the actual test. We don’t have our results, yet, but we believe they’ll reflect the exceptional benefits of taking this course.
Comments or Questions?
write -
College Prep Genius
P.O. Box 398
Hurst, TX 76053
phone -
817.282.7737
email -
info@collegeprepgenius.com
Normally $129.85 total, the College Prep Genius DVD Set is on sale now, at 25% off = $99.00. Ultimately, it’s risk free because of the 100% Money Back Guarantee. I highly recommend it for every junior high and high school student. It is easy to follow and there’s enough information, in the first lessons alone, to dispel any darkness. I wish it had been available ten years ago, for my first teens.
The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Review Crew reviewed College Prep Genius and their Vocabcafe Series, which you can find by following the links provided throughout this post.
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 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
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.


































































