Academic Success for all Learners

I See Sam books are a series of short readers designed to increase reading fluency, vocabulary skills, and comprehension for children whose reading levels fall between K and grade 3.6.  We have been reading the stories in sets 7 and 8 for the past several weeks.  While they are below the reading level at which my daughter tests, these books are great quick reads and have been wonderful for reinforcement and improving skills. She is really enjoying them!
      Each book includes vocabulary words and skills to be emphasized.  These little books are divided into short stories, similar to the readers I remember using when I was in elementary school.  They are the perfect length for a child to read aloud without becoming frustrated or tired of reading.  The stories are interesting and engaging.  Even though the books and illustrations are completely in black and white, they are very visually appealing. 
      There are multiple free and paid additional resources that can be used with the I See Sam books.  On the Academic Success for all Learners website you can even download a free book, a placement / assessment test, success tracking materials, and flashcards.  The website is simple to navigate.  I See Sam book sets are available for $30 / set.  Each set contains ten books, with each subsequent book more difficult than the previous.  They are available for purchase through the Academic Success for all Learners website. 
     These little books are fabulous for taking along in the car or to appointments because they are the size of a half sheet of paper and they are paperback.  They fit easily into a purse or backpack without adding tons of extra weight.  I recommend them for any family with early readers or any family with reading children who need to strengthen their reading skills.  Members of the crew were able to use and review all of the books in this series.  To read reviews of other levels, visit the main crew blog, here. 


**I have received no compensation from TOS or Academic Success for all Learners in exchange for this review.**

Internet Safety

Action Alert is a comprehensive internet safety program.  It is available in two versions:  a free version which provides pre-set safety features in a quick download, and a paid version ($29.99) which provides completely customizable maximum internet protection.  The internet can be very dangerous when not monitored and supervised.  It is not only dangerous for children, but also for adults.  There have been many times when I or my husband have typed in a web address incorrectly and been directed to a very objectionable website.  Action Alert can help prevent both accidental and intentional visits to objectionable web content.  With the paid version I was able to test for the purpose of this review, I found parents can set up alerts, timers, blocks, and even can remotely shut down a computer if activity is questionable.  This program is an updated version of the PGKey product I reviewed last year.  I think it is a good program; however, there are a few bugs that need to be worked out of the program.  For some reason, after installation of Action Alert I had trouble with the computer freezing and running slow. I have had this problem with filter programs before and I am not sure if anything can be done about it.  I know that some filter/protection programs can conflict with other software.  I have not found any conflicts listed on the Action Alert website, but I did notice some conflicts on my computer.  I think if Action Alert were installed and then computer settings were adjusted by someone who actually knows what they are doing the problem would be solved.  I am just not enough of a computer person to know what to do.  The concept behind Action Alert is great.  Families should use some type of monitoring on their internet.  I think it could be used effectively but there will be a learning curve with it and computer adjustments to be made.  Try out the free version first, before you commit to the paid version.  That way, if you have any computer issues, you will know that the program may not work with your current computer configuration.  Both the free and the paid version of Action Alert are available on the Action Alert website.  To read other reviews of Action Alert, visit the main crew blog here. 

**I have received no compensation from TOS or Action Alert in exchange for this review.**

Literature Study from a Christian Perspective

Progeny Press produces literature study guides with from a Christian perspective for all level students.  We have been able to examine the middle school guide for Across Five Aprils and the high school guide for The Screwtape Letters.  We have used the download version, although they are available on c.d. or as a print version. These literature guides include comprehension, critical thinking, vocabulary, and literature analysis, along with examining biblical principles exhibited in literature.  The guides may be printed and filled in by students, or, can be used on the computer by typing in the answers to the questions.  The type in options is great for dysgraphic students.  I must say, these literature guides are very thorough.  They take a chapter by chapter approach to the books they cover.  Background information is provided about the author and the subject of each book.  For both novels,  background information included historical events surrounding the time period in which each book was written, along with suggestions for further research / study about the time periods.  I have reluctant children when it comes to the study of classic literature, but, these literature guides make a novel study very independent, informative, and fun. We are still working through both guides and have learned a lot from them. 
I think the literature guides from Progeny Press would make a fabulous edition to any homeschool curriculum.  With study guides for over 100 titles, there are surely titles to interest even the most resistant student of literature. Priced from $10.99 – $27.99 (prices differ from download version up to print booklet / c.d. combination package), these literature guides are very economical.  The download and c.d. versions are non-consumable and could be used by multiple children in your family.  These can be purchased on the Progeny Press website and local stores in various locations across the U.S. and other countries.  For a listing of stores carrying Progeny Press products, visit the website, here.  To read reviews of other Progeny Press literature study guides, check out the main TOS Homeschool Crew blog. 
**I have received no compensation from TOS or Progeny Press in exchange for this review.**

Heard any good arguments, lately?

One would think that I have hear plenty of good arguments.  After all, we do have six children!  After working with The Argument Builder, published by Classical Academic Press, I know I have heard very few good arguments.  There is a vast difference between fighting and logical argument.  This curriculum gives students the arsenal of weapons they need to present an argument, and support that argument, logically, concisely, and effectively.  The Argument Builder trains students to build their own sound and persuasive arguments. Written in a conversational, humorous, and easy to understand style, the text is a blend of logic and rhetoric—students first study the logical structure of good arguments and then study how to use several lines of argument (a.k.a., the common topics, first invented by Aristotle) including examples, analogy, comparison, testimony, and statistics, and layer them together into a strong whole. 

The Argument  Builder  is a workbook format curriculum.  It is very easy for older students (10th-12th grade) to go through independently, and younger students (8th-9th grade) to utilize with teacher / parent guidance. I was able to peruse both the teacher’s guide and the student workbook.  My ninth grader is working his way through the student lessons.  At first, he questioned the necessity of logical argument instruction.  Once he got into the lessons, he told me that he thought this would really help him on his ACT essay.  Lightbulb moment!  I am sure he is right.  Part of The Argument Builder workbook guides students presenting and defending arguments in written form through essay.  It is different from a writing curriculum in that it focuses on the development of the actual argument by using proper logic. I know a lot of logic skills seem to be taught through Geometry curricula.  That is a great start; but, most students pay little attention to those skills and just use what they have to in order to complete homework.  The Argument Builder leads the student in real life skills.  I think it should be a required course for high school students.

If you would like to read more about The Argument Builder, or purchase it, visit the Classical Academic Press website.  It is available for $21.95 for the student workbook and $24.95 for the teacher guide. 

Crewmembers were able to review two different products from Classical Academic Press.  You can read all of the reviews by visiting the main TOS Crew Blog page.

**I have not received any compensation from TOS or Classical Academic Press in exchange for this review.**

Independent Learning at It’s Finest

Creek Edge Press task cards have been quite a hit around our house.  We have been able to use the Geography and Culture set for purpose of review, and definitely will continue to use it.  What are task cards?  Originally designed by a homeschool mom for her own children, task cards combine aspects of Charlotte Mason, Montessori, and Classical education philosophies to guide students through a particular subject.  Task cards are designed for kids who are in grades K-8.  The Geography and Culture set is best suited for kids in grades 3-6 for independent study.  Grades K-2 will need parental assistance and grades above 6th would need some additional tasks or enrichment activities to make a complete curriculum of Geography and Culture.  Other task card sets have their own age ranges for optimum enjoyment and learning.

Here is a little about the task cards from the Creek Edge Press website:

This K-8 course is comprised of discovery-oriented tasks designed to facilitate engaged learning in geography, climate, habitat, religion, literature, and culture. Tasks are accessible to younger students and are the perfect springboard to further investigation for older students. Highly recommended as a first task card set for young students and those new to the task card approach. Appropriate for grades K-2 with a tutor and independent investigation by 3-6th graders. Recommended for older students at the discretion of the parent/teacher.

Through the use of the cards, your students will build a foundation for a literary 'trip' around the world through investigations of maps and globes. They will explore a variety of habitats and the animals that live in them and read about the lives of people in cultures throughout the world.

With the task cards, you receive a parent/teacher guide to help you use the cards with your child.  We have been using one card per week.  We have thoroughly enjoyed the independent aspect of the task cards.  I have even been looking at other available sets with next year in mind.  These are available from the Creek Edge Press website for various prices.  The Geography and Culture set is only $18!  A great price for a year of assignments already assembled.  You do need to have some outside resources, but nothing out of the ordinary.  For the Geography and Culture set you will need access to an atlas of the world, an atlas of the United States, and access to other books either from home or your local library.  I highly recommend this for homeschooling families who are looking for something fresh to use in their studies. 

To read what other TOS reviewers have to say about the Geography and Culture task cards, as well as other task cards, visit the main crew blog.

 

K-5 Interactive Learning Program

Are you searching for a fun, interactive, supplemental reading and math program for your K-5th grade child? K-5 may just be what you are looking for.  We have been able to explore K-5 for six weeks, and, although it hasn’t been a perfect fit for us, it may be for you.  Our daughter is 12 and is at the outside edge of the age range for K-5.  The lessons are great – very thorough and easy to understand – but she didn’t like the characters and graphics very much.  She thought it wasn’t ‘cool’ enough for her and the characters were a little bit ‘babyish.’  That being said, for a younger child it is a fabulous program.  There is a free assessment on the K-5 website so students can be placed in the correct level.  Parents can receive progress reports of their child’s work.  Kids move at their own pace and really learn.  I think K-5 would be a great supplement to any curriculum or a great motivator.  Kids always want computer time, why not make that computer time both fun and educational. With K-5, kids play through lessons in reading, math, spelling, and math facts. 

     K-5 is available through the K-5 website on a subscription basis for the following rates:

Monthly subscription

First child..........................$25

Additional children..............$15

Annual subscription

First child..........................$199

Additional children..............$129

If you would like to read other reviews of the K-5 program, check out the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog.

**I have received no compensation from TOS or K-5 in exchange for this review.**

Improving Reading Skills

Reading Eggs is a fun, online reading improvement program.  Geared toward readers from early readers to more advanced (age 13 is the age listed), Reading Eggs gives kids engaging stories to read and a fun reward system for passing comprehension tests over the stories.  We are in the older group, and really are at the outside edge, so we have tried out the Reading Eggspress area of Reading Eggs.  This is the section of the program for older readers. Students are able to choose books from the virtual library to read. Once read, students can take a short quiz over the book.  Rewards for reading the story and passing the quiz with an 80% score are ‘eggs.’  Eggs are accumulated and can be exchanged for rewards and extra items throughout the site.  Before reading, there is an assessment test that the kids can take to make sure they are placed at the correct reading level.  I was really impressed with the quality of the images of the books.  Even though they are being read on a computer screen, the books retain the high resolution, crisp imaging of an actual book.  They are really easy to read. There is a huge variety of books to choose from – more than enough to interest even the most reluctant reader. With books to read, games to play, rewards to redeem, and quizzes to take, Reading Eggs has plenty of activities to attract kids.  The Reading Eggs program is available by subscription through their website for various rates.  A monthly subscription is $9.99 / month.  A yearly subscription is a great value at $75.  There is even an option to get a free trial subscription for a few weeks so you can ‘try before you buy.’  Reading Eggs is a great program and would be an amazing supplement to any curriculum.  To read other reviews of the Reading Eggs program, check out the main TOS Homeschool Crew blog, here. 

**I have received no compensation from TOS or Reading Eggs in exchange for this review.**