Here are a few spots in West Virginia to come vacation!
New River Gorge
Come and see why we call our state of West Virginia, WILD AND WONDERFUL!
Fight like a girl
Monday, March 11, 2013
It's closer to spring here in the beautiful state of WV
It's is beautiful and sunny 72 Degrees here in the 'wild and wonderful' state of West Virginia. Finally, I think spring is here! The air is so fresh and clean. No smog, smoke or pollution here.
Here are a few spots in West Virginia to come vacation!
New River Gorge
Come and see why we call our state of West Virginia, WILD AND WONDERFUL!
Here are a few spots in West Virginia to come vacation!
New River Gorge
Come and see why we call our state of West Virginia, WILD AND WONDERFUL!
Friday, March 8, 2013
EMG Educational Systems, LLC TOS Review
READS Parent/Child Reading Comprehension System
I was sent Reads Parent/Child Reading Comprehension System to review.
This set includes:
Parent Manual
30 Question Cards & Ring
Rewards Chart & Stickers
Magic Finger & Reading Guide Strip
Speedy Speller
This set comes in a reusable storage pouch.
$19.95 for the set.
Recommended for grades 1 - 4.
What Is This? -
This is a reading system that works with any reading material your child may be currently working on in school or in your homeschool. It is designed to help children no matter if they are above their grade level, on grade level, or below grade level.
The parent guide will explain how to use the system with your child step by step.
The 30 question cards help the child understand what he/she is reading. The child picks a card, reads it, then looks for the answer in the book as they are reading.
The reward chart & stickers help give the child confidence as they see the rewards he/she will be earning. This also gives them a goal to obtain.
As the child gets more comfortable with their reading, you have them write a few sentences daily about what they have read. That is where the Speedy Speller comes in. The Speedy Speller has over 1400 words for your child to look up to make sure their words are spelled correctly. It also provides blank lines to add any frequent words that may not be on the word list.
The magic finger and reading strip helps your child keep focused on the words he/she is reading. This also helps to keep their eyes from jumping all over the page and losing their spot.
This reading system was created by Elaine Meyers, a reading specialist in Philadelphia, PA.
Ms. Meyers holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in education. She has been working with young readers for more than 25 years. Ms. Meyers realized that most parents wanted to help their children become better readers. She then came up with this program to assist parents in helping their children at home with improving their reading skills.
Elaine Meyers has a step by step instruction video. To view, click here.
This program has received several awards.
What I Thought -
I used this program with my son who is 9 yrs. old. We used this 4-5 days per week. I liked the reward chart & stickers. It gave him a daily goal to achive. The one day we missed reading, he was bummed. The reward system really works! The Speedy Speller was really neat too. Instead of having him look up a word in the huge dictionary, he had this small easy access booklet to look through. I am noticing, that when he is doing his writing, he is even looking up words on his own!
He is also excited about getting to his reading book everyday. His reading is improving and we are both very happy. I was impressed with how easy this worked with my son. Before this program he dreaded his reading. Now, he looks forward to it with his magic finger!
I highly recommend this to anyone who has a child who is struggling or a parent who wants to help their child become a better reader.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
CLEANING HOUSE, a Blogging for Books Review
ISBN # 978-0-307-73067-1
US $14.99
e-book $9.99
What Is This? -
This book is about a mom, Kay Wyma, who has 5 children ranging from 4 - 14 yrs old. She spends a whole lot of time in the carpool lane which gave her time to realize that she needed to do something about her children having Youth Entitlement.
In this book, she tells about her real life experiment that her and the family endured over 12 months trying to rid the 'youth entitlement' from their lives.
Every month she added a new job that built character, independence, pride and compassion. She made chores a top priority . From making beds to cleaning toilets, she introduces new chores to teach the children to be responsible youth. Her children, like all children, were shocked to have to learn the normal everyday chores that a mother tackles. But they learn to take pride in everything they do. This wasn't an easy job for Kay either. As a mom, she had to let the children take over and do some things that she could have completed in 1/2 the time and aggravation. But she presses on, at times wondering if the lessons are getting through to them.
After each chapter, she tells what SHE has learned this month / task and also what the children has learned.
She also teaches the children compassion. How? Serving others of course. The children learn to put others in front of their own needs and they learn that it feels good.
As the year closes, she sees an amazing transformation of all her children. Eventhough they are pulling away, getting closer from her dependency, she is full of joy knowing that she did her children a wonderful service.
What I Thought -
This book was very inspiring to me. Every mother wants children with good manners, good work ethic and compassion. But lets face it, kids are selfish little creatures. ;) In this generation it seems like the world is teaching our children that it is all about them. Do whatever feels good and you'll be happy. This is a problem that won't fix itself.
Kay Wyma gives scripture to back up her teachings with her children. That was really important to me. The Bible is so instructive on how we are to raise our children.
I have been applying some of her techniques in my own household with my own three boys. I already see a change in them. They have a new appreciation for what mom does around here. It is also teaching them to be good independent young men who will grow into wonderful, respectable husbands some day.
So I highly recommend any mother who wants to teach their children to thrive and become compassionate, responsible and respectable adults to read this book and apply to their lives. And lets face it, mom could use some help in the process. This book had me literally LOL! Raising teens is no cake walk.
For a sneak peek and to download Chapter One,
click HERE.
Also, check out Kay's blog-
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. This review is my own personal opinion.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Teenage Entitlement ...... enough is enough
I have been thinking a lot about how my boys (and most of the children in this country) think that they have entitlement to just about everything.
Think about it. Everyone has a cell phone, laptop (or other access to the internet), Ipod, Ipad, well..... 'I' something, lol. Even their electronics are telling them that it's all about them with the "I". Geeze.
What about good ole fashion chores? Do these children know how to cook a meal? Do they know how to do their own laundry? What about cleaning up after themselves for goodness sake? Well, my children do KNOW how, but they don't do it without mom nagging, yelling, begging, bribing, you name it.
Well, not anymore. Grounding them didn't work either, so I came up with a solution. It's an EXPECTATION LIST. Each of my boys received one from mom last night. This is an example of one.
Johnny's Expectations -
Personal Hygiene - You need to wash your face, brush your teeth am & pm, use deodorant, and wash your hands with SOAP after you use the bathroom!
Now these are just simple requests right? Things that they should be doing already. Things that they have been told to do over and over again until mom is literally ready to bust! It's not like I asked them to dig a ditch in the back yard or something.
Another example....
Kitchen Dish Duty - You need to do ALL the dishes, wash all the countertops and stove.
Again, things that they already know and should be doing. There are several things on my expectation list, but I nothing they didn't know already. Hard work and chores makes children responsible adults. It gives the confidence, a sense of pride in their accomplishments. The Bible even talks about work.
Deuteronomy 15:10
Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. (NIV)
Psalm 128:2
You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. (NIV)
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (NIV)
Here is the kicker. When I introduced this to my boys, both my teenagers thought I was torturing them. Really? One told me that he lives in a free country and that this is a democracy! (Did he just say that?)
Lets take a look on what 'democracy' is.
Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives.
Enough said. They do NOT have an equal say in any decision in our household. If they did, we wouldn't be parents, we then be roommates. Our responsibility as parents is to teach our children how to be God fearing, loving, self-sufficient adults.....not be their buddies & roommates.
So I, the tyrant that I am (sarcasm used here), told them both that they needed to sign that they understood all that is expected out of them. Of course they both said that they weren't going to sign it. I just smiled and said, "Ok, then go get your electronics. If you don't sign it, you don't have the internet / video game privledge." The look on their faces were priceless. Yes, mom has had enough.
"Did you get this stuff off the internet or in one of those books you read?" is one question I was asked. I gently explained that I got it from him. Yes, he is the one for the inspiration. See if I didn't have to tell my oldest to wash his face and several other things SEVERAL TIMES A DAY, then it wouldn't have come to this.
I gently reminded him how just yesterday he told me that I complicate things and nag & yell all the time. Well my son, I fixed the problem. No more of mom's nagging. No more of me getting stressed out from yelling and begging them to do what is expected out of all of them. You got exactly what you asked for my son.
You are welcome and I love you.
Think about it. Everyone has a cell phone, laptop (or other access to the internet), Ipod, Ipad, well..... 'I' something, lol. Even their electronics are telling them that it's all about them with the "I". Geeze.
What about good ole fashion chores? Do these children know how to cook a meal? Do they know how to do their own laundry? What about cleaning up after themselves for goodness sake? Well, my children do KNOW how, but they don't do it without mom nagging, yelling, begging, bribing, you name it.
Well, not anymore. Grounding them didn't work either, so I came up with a solution. It's an EXPECTATION LIST. Each of my boys received one from mom last night. This is an example of one.
Johnny's Expectations -
Personal Hygiene - You need to wash your face, brush your teeth am & pm, use deodorant, and wash your hands with SOAP after you use the bathroom!
Now these are just simple requests right? Things that they should be doing already. Things that they have been told to do over and over again until mom is literally ready to bust! It's not like I asked them to dig a ditch in the back yard or something.
Another example....
Kitchen Dish Duty - You need to do ALL the dishes, wash all the countertops and stove.
Again, things that they already know and should be doing. There are several things on my expectation list, but I nothing they didn't know already. Hard work and chores makes children responsible adults. It gives the confidence, a sense of pride in their accomplishments. The Bible even talks about work.
Deuteronomy 15:10
Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. (NIV)
Psalm 128:2
You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. (NIV)
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (NIV)
Here is the kicker. When I introduced this to my boys, both my teenagers thought I was torturing them. Really? One told me that he lives in a free country and that this is a democracy! (Did he just say that?)
Lets take a look on what 'democracy' is.
Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives.
Enough said. They do NOT have an equal say in any decision in our household. If they did, we wouldn't be parents, we then be roommates. Our responsibility as parents is to teach our children how to be God fearing, loving, self-sufficient adults.....not be their buddies & roommates.
So I, the tyrant that I am (sarcasm used here), told them both that they needed to sign that they understood all that is expected out of them. Of course they both said that they weren't going to sign it. I just smiled and said, "Ok, then go get your electronics. If you don't sign it, you don't have the internet / video game privledge." The look on their faces were priceless. Yes, mom has had enough.
"Did you get this stuff off the internet or in one of those books you read?" is one question I was asked. I gently explained that I got it from him. Yes, he is the one for the inspiration. See if I didn't have to tell my oldest to wash his face and several other things SEVERAL TIMES A DAY, then it wouldn't have come to this.
I gently reminded him how just yesterday he told me that I complicate things and nag & yell all the time. Well my son, I fixed the problem. No more of mom's nagging. No more of me getting stressed out from yelling and begging them to do what is expected out of all of them. You got exactly what you asked for my son.
You are welcome and I love you.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Math-U-See review coming soon!
Looking for a new math program?
Whether you are a homeschool mom who is using the Classical approach to homeschooling, the Relaxed homeschooler or maybe you are a school teacher who needs a fresh vision.....this is something you will want to check out!
Coming Soon!
MATH-U-SEE
Geometry
TOS Review
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Friday, March 1, 2013
Lone Star Learning TOS Review
I received the two following items for review:
&
What Is It? -
These are cards (intended for grades 3-8) for students to learn Science Vocabulary & Target (math) words by using the visual learning style. The picture cards (which also contain the actual word) have an unique connection with the word and its image for the student to easily remember it. There are several sets in each the Target and Science. The Sets are not arranged by grade level, but there is a chart on the web site with the words listed on them so you can determine what set you will need according to level of your child/student(s).
Each Set does include the proper definitions / meaning for each card. This is like an answer card.
Small size (as shown in picture) 5.5″ x 4.25″ - $29.99
Available in 3 different Sets & a Primary.
There are 50-56 cards in each set. They are coated & brightly colored for an easy display of the math vocabulary presented visually to facilitate recall.
"The Target Vocabulary Set 1 has been awarded the Learning® Magazine 2012
Teachers’ ChoiceSM Award; one of the most recognized awards in the
educational market."
as stated on the website.
One size, 5.5″ x 8.5″.
Available in 4 Sets & Early grades K-2.
There are 40 cards in each set and they are also full color and coated. The cards show the word and its meaning in picture form.
What I Thought -
My son and I absolutely love these cards! My son, who is 9 (4'th grade), used these cards 3-4 times per week until he memorized the meanings. He struggles with reading and it was really neat how he could retain the image and that image triggered the meaning for him. I loved how each set came with one card that had the full correct meanings for all the words so we had the 'scientific' explanation and not just the 'answer'. I really like the way the website showed what words were in each set so you (as the parent or teacher) could decide which ones would benefit your student/child.
Here are a few examples (also my favorites), in the Science Vocabulary Pictures, Set 1.
The word 'conglomerate' means:
"a number of different parts or things that are grouped together to form a whole but remain distinct entities".
The word 'metamorphic' means:
"rock that has undergone transformation by heat, pressure, or other natural agencies".
These really are an ingenious way of teaching a child something that would otherwise be difficult for them to just memorize.
We give this product a 2 thumbs up!
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