Archive for online program
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.
Eggsceptional Reading!
Posted by: | Comments“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ~ Dr. Seuss
In our house we read. I read to gain knowledge and for personal enjoyment. As a parent, I read to my children. My older children read for themselves but they are also encouraged, from a young age, to read to their younger siblings. I read to the family, chapters at a time, as a series, instead of watching TV. The younger children see us with books, they hear stories of adventure, courage, excitement, and mishap. They can sit in their bedroom and be in Africa on a safari, at the same time, or sit in the living room, together, and travel back in time to a Little House on the Prairie. All of this cultivates a desire in the young ones to want to read on their own.
Reading Eggs is an eggsceptional interactive, online reading program.
This program is developed by teachers, educational writers, animators, and web designers. It is built on a core curriculum of skills, using a sequential series of lessons. The focus of Reading Eggs is for children ages 4-7, with the addition of Eggspress geared for 7-13 years old. There are over 100 lessons available now, plus they continue to grow. The brand new Storylands opened March 2, 2012, with the first 20 lessons of Clinker Castle! My son agrees this is a big deal!
My youngest daughter loves Reading Eggs!
Map of lessons and eggs waiting to be hatched.
Her personalized, eggsploring avatar walks through Reading Eggs World as she works her way through lessons and quizzes. Upon completion of a set of lessons, she is rewarded. Special eggs hatch and reveal a new critter that is added to the zoo. The program is student-paced. If there is any difficulty understanding or retaining a lesson it can be repeated as many times as necessary, with no penalty or negative judgement.
Lesson activity – put the words in the correct order to form a sentence.
Songs, games, educational activities, and golden egg rewards, make for eggstra FUN!
Game time!
There is an Assessment Test available for each child. 40 questions, that will determine the best place to start your student. My son is happy being an Eggpress eggsplorer!
An Assessment Test question
He says the animation is eggscellent! The lessons are fun, but he is still challenged and he’s learning! There are many stories of fact and fiction that keep his attention. Just like his sister, he enjoys furnishing a house for his avatar, shopping, and generally playing in the Reading Eggs World.
An Eggspress comprehension test question.
I like the parent’s reports that I receive, keeping me up to date on their progress and accomplishments! I eggspect to use Reading Eggs for years, especially because they eggspect to continue to expand and improve.
~
Don’t just take my word for it. Follow the links I’ve provided throughout this post and investigate their website. You can also read other reviews by my crew mates, when you click the TOS graphic below.
And Reading Eggs offers a 14 day free trial!
~
$75.00 year
$49.95 6 months
$9.95 per month with the option to cancel anytime
~
Comments or Questions?
email – support@readingeggs.com
or
phone – 1.877.661.4898
~
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.
Thanks for sharing 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.
Read Naturally
Posted by: | CommentsThank you, to Candyce & Tom Ihnot for their extensive work in the development of Read Naturally, a program that increases reading fluency. I believe my reluctant reader will be one of their success stories and I’m very grateful for their contribution to his education.
Read Naturally is based on a structured program of:
- Teacher Modeling – a proficient reader models correct reading for a less able reader.
- Repeated Reading – “practice makes perfect,” or close, as it builds fluency and confidence.
- Progress Monitoring – progress is tracked and used as motivation to read and improve.
Read Naturally products support and reinforce the 5 essential components of reading as outlined by the National Reading Panel – phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
We are using their newest, web-based, assessment & intervention program, Read Live. Created for use primarily in schools and classrooms, I only noticed this during set-up, when I needed a school name, an administrator and a teacher. Because it is nearly student-independent it adapts well to the homeschool environment.
This video takes you through a lesson of Read Live.
This is an excellent program! My son is not thrilled with the repetitive readings, but he applies himself and he can literally see the value in it in the difference between his Cold Timing reading and his Hot Timing reading scores.
I really appreciate the Wordtastic vocabulary game that occupies the student while they’re “waiting for the teacher” during the Cold Timing and Pass steps. The other day, I was trying to get lunch on the table and although I said, “I’m coming…I’ll be right there,” I wasn’t. The time wasn’t lost though, because my son reviewed or learned 102 synonyms and antonyms during those extra minutes.
I wish there was more variety in the reading material for the lessons. Especially, because there is so much repetition, what is being read tends to be absorbed. If these were Bible verses he was reading, he’d have several memorized by the time he is finished. As it is, parents with younger children should be aware that some readings (evolution) may not be what you want your child to “retain.” My son is old enough to know what he believes; so, it isn’t an issue, but is not an option to skip any of the books.
For me, this is one of those vital programs that has to be broken down into bite-size pieces, in my mind, because it is expensive. A 12-month subscription, for 1 student is $149. I know the benefits, but…I still wrestle with the cost. Then, with a little thought, I realize that for less than $.70 a day I can change my son’s life! This calculation doesn’t put the money in my pocket, but it helps me justify the possible sacrifices. The ability to read or not, with fluency and comprehension, can have a dramatic impact on an individual. It is an investment in a child’s future.
Read Naturally Live does offer a 60-day FREE Trial.
Click the TOS graphic below to read additional reviews of this program and the One Minute Reader – home reading program, written by The Homeschool Crew.
Questions or Comments:
Contact -
Read Naturally, Inc.
2945 Lone Oak Drive Suite190
Saint Paul, MN 55121
email – info@readnaturally.com
call – 651.452.4085
or toll free – 800.788.4085
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.
The Sound of Music
Posted by: | Comments
I’ve always wanted to learn to play the piano and to read music. I haven’t, yet, but I will. My mother was in her thirties, late in college, when she finally took a music course.
One of our daughter’s took piano lessons for several months, when she was 6 years old, and even had a recital. The private lessons were reasonable, but still cost a bit. It also took some time to drive to the lesson, wait during the lesson, and drive back home. The more children we chose to have, the less feasible private lessons became.
KinderBach is the perfect answer for my young ones. Karri Gregor is the author, illustrator and music educator of KinderBach. “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Karri wanted a music program for her young children and no one wanted to enroll them because they weren’t reading, yet. As many homeschool parents would say, “the best thing to do is teach them yourself.” She had the background; so, it wasn’t a far stretch for her to do just that. Personally, I’m already stretching in other areas; so, I’m grateful she used her talents to put KinderBach together.
Click for website
Karri Gregor firmly believes that children do not have to be able to read to learn piano. She teaches the notes on the piano and staff by characters rather than letters.
Click to Meet the Piano Pals
Bright, colorful, fun and engaging lessons. More than piano, 3 – 7 years old are given a foundation in music with KinderBach.
- Music Theory
- Note Reading
- Rhythm
- Music Vocabulary
- Ear Training
- Hand Position
- ‘Do, Re, Mi’ Singing
- and More
There are 6 levels (the 7th will soon be available) – 10 lessons each, 4 sessions in each lesson. The Year Online Membership includes all of the web lessons, with 240 sessions, and downloaded PDF files of coordinating activity pages.
The best value is $7.99 a month for an annual subscription – billed in one payment of $95.88. There are also DVD & CD packages available, which is great if you have a slow internet connection. These start at $40.45 + s/h. You’ll find that the KinderBach Shop has multiple discounts
AND
KinderBach has a No-Hassle Return Policy for DVDs & CDs as well as a satisfaction goal for web members. There are no bad decisions with KinderBach. All Products carry a 30 day Money Back Guarantee. In addition, all of the disks have a lifetime replacement should any be damaged or broken for any reason. KinderBach wants you to be totally delighted with their product.
Click on the graphic (above) and it will take you to a full Curriculum Syllabus by Level and a quick click on the graphic (below) will give you FREE online lessons!
Please, take the time to follow the links I’ve provided, as KinderBach has an excellent web site and there’s so much information to share with you. You won’t be disappointed.
It was a joy to use KinderBach for this review. A big plus for my “littles” is the fact that you can use KinderBach Online with your Wii, if you have one. This made it so much easier for all of mine to see and do at the same time. We don’t have a big TV, but it’s a whole lot bigger than our PC monitor!
Email: info@KinderBach.com
Phone: 563-332-0587
Mail: KinderBach, P. O. Box 181, Le Claire, Iowa, 52753
Click for facebook
The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Review Crew has additional reviews of KinderBach on their blog:
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…
Reading Kingdom
Posted by: | Comments
A fun, individualized and interactive online reading/writing program with vivid and engaging graphics. Reading Kingdom is the brainchild of Dr. Marion Blank. I also think it is dear to her heart…
Proverbs 20:11 reads, “Even a child is known by his doings. Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” As a child, Marion became aware of the fact that several of her family members did not know how to read and write. Many were poor emigrates from Eastern Europe and had been unable to attend school. They worked hard and established their family here in the United States. When Marion started reading around 6 years old, she couldn’t wait to teach her grandmother everything she was learning! Her grandmother was frail and the lessons were never completed, but a seed had been planted in young Marion’s life that would continue to grow. Reading Kingdom is the fruit of more than 40 years of research and application, because a child wanted to do something about illiteracy.
Dr. Blank believes, “Phonics is THE path to reading. It’s why children for generations have been taught to sound out the ABC’s once they enter first grade. But traditional phonics is not enough. It’s great to be able to figure out the sounds of words, but by itself, it makes reading unbearably slow and tedious. At some point, sounding out has to switch over to instant word recognition. That means doing what you are doing now – looking at words and immediately recognizing what they are saying. And that skill also is not enough. In fact, success in reading calls upon five other essential areas.”
Reading Kingdom vs Other Reading Systems
I have taught several children how to read, phonetically, and sometimes it has been more trying and less successful than other times. Now, I have a better understanding of the process. Reading Kingdom, designed for ages 4-10, begins with a skills survey for each child. According to the results, they are placed in one of 6 levels: pre-reading or a reading level 1-5, honing their skills with the mouse and keyboard; learning to recognize, read, spell and type words and sentences. As one progresses through the levels the six skills necessary for reading are strengthened.
- Sequencing
- Motor Skills
- Sounds
- Meaning
- Grammar
- Comprehension
It is expected that a child will be reading, with confidence and enthusiasm, at a 3rd grade level with the completion of Reading Kingdom. Generally, this will take 12 – 18 months. After the first few weeks, most children can navigate the program on their own. Reader reports [what they're doing, how they're doing and what is coming up] are available to the parent – tracking a child’s progress.
Without a doubt, my children have increased their keyboarding skills and have gained knowledge and confidence in reading and comprehension, but that’s not all -
They have been forced to pay attention to directions and details. Type when directed to type using the keyboard and click when instructed to click a letter on the screen. The word focus has new meaning to them, now. If they concentrate and respond correctly, they progress through the levels, but if they don’t know an answer or just get distracted, the program will re-teach the word or concept. I consider these simple, but important life lessons.
Dr. Blank and her team are “passionate about promoting literacy and believe that every child has the right to learn to read.”
She is the creator of Phonics Plus Five reading program,
and the author of The Reading Remedy.
Contact information:
The Reading Kingdom
12405 Venice Bl., Suite 342
Los Angeles, CA 90066
Dr. Blank can also be reached through email: BlankM@childpsych.Columbia.edu
Reading Kingdom is $19.99/month (one child) with no monthly minimum or $199.99 per year (one child). Each additional child is $9.99 per month.
I have been given generous use of Reading Kingdom, for this review, and have found it beneficial for each of my children. You can try it FREE for 30 days and monitor the results for yourself.
There is also a scholarship application program set up, making literacy a hope for everyone. “Nothing is impossible for God.”
Read what my TOS Homeschool Crew mates think of Reading Kingdom, by clicking on the banner.
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.
