The Quarter Mile Math by, Barnum Software

The Quarter Mile Math

**Note- if you are reading this review on Facebook, please click the link at the bottom of the post to be taken to the original blog entry. **

   I am one of the many people in the world, who really does not enjoy math! And to add to that is the fact that I am a homeschooler. How is it that I am  supposed to instill that love of learning I desire my children to have, when I really do not enjoy math?

 Over the years we have worked through our math programs, and I have found some wonderful resources over the years, which we still use. However, one thing none of them addressed was the simple reinforcement that a child needs to really concrete math facts.

  I also have several special needs children. And for one of them, my most severe, he loses the skills he learns. So we have to re do things over and over and over.... and dare I say... and over.....

The Quarter Mile Math, has been a wonderful addition to our daily routine! What is the Quarter Mile Math? It is a Math Practice Software. Here is what they say about it on their website....

"The Quarter Mile Math programs boost children's mental math skills and confidence by motivating them to do an incredible number of math problems quickly. The fun, award-winning format is effective because it detects even the smallest improvements and constantly gives positive reinforcement. "

 Now coming from me,  a homeschool mom.... The Quarter Mile Math, is a program, that has created a fun way for the kids to reinforce the math they are covering. How exactly can you make it fun? You know for years, all we  have had is drill and kill... flash cards and worksheets, and if you have a more hands on learner, like I do, you know these are not good methods for your children to learn.

With The Quarter Mile Math, the child will "race" himself, while learning these facts. They have a choice of race cars or riderless horses. The first few races, the child will race against the computer, however, they will begin to  race against themselves, actually, their previous scores. And in there lies the success. The drive, if you will to beat your previous score!  How do they race? Problems appear at the bottom of the page, when they answer correctly, the faster their horse or race car will go. They will be give 3 chances to get the answer, then the answer is given to them, and they can continue on their race.

My son with special needs LOVED this aspect of the game. And what is wonderful, there is not  a"grade level" listed on anything, you simply set them up where they are academically and they race. So he does not feel like he is "behind" his younger siblings. This is huge in our house. So if you have a child that is needing remedial work in math, The Quarter Mile Math will be a huge asset!

Not only has it helped my son with extreme special needs, The Quarter Mile Math, has helped with all of my children. My typical learners and my special learners.  They all actually ask me to "race" each day. They have really enjoyed the new component to our math program!

Now, if you are like me, you are probably thinking, that this would be a great tool for simple math, but I have a middle schooler.. will this help them? YES!!!

The Quarter Mile Math is designed for K-9th grade. And if you are doing remedial work with your student, then you will be able to use this program, all the way through high school.

Here are the topics that are covered in the deluxe edition:

Numbers and Letters

Whole Numbers

Fractions Introduction

Fractions

Decimals

Percents

Estimation Preparation

Math Strategies

Estimation

Integers

Equations

So, as you can see, this is not just for simple math! The strategy is the same, all the way through the program.  Answer the math problems as fast as you can.

We were given the Deluxe Edition to review, which covers grades K-9. Level 1 covers, K-3, Level 2 covers, 4-6 and Level 3 covers 4-9. I would highly recommend the Deluxe Edition. This is a subscription based program. And the price is very affordable! With a family of 5 children, this is very important!

You can pay $2.95 per month, for the entire family, or $19.95 for a one year subscription, again for the entire family, or $34.95 for 2 years for the entire family! You can download the program from the website or you can purchase a CD for $5 to download. We received the CD, and I must say that it was a breeze to download onto the computer.

Right now the kind people at Barnum Publishing have offered my readers a $5 discount on any product, standard or deluxe. All you need to do is enter 7E7D7 into the referral code box. This code will be good until September 30, 2009.

The people at The Quarter Mile Math have added a "For Homeschoolers" section. There you will find a printable progress sheet, to track your students progress, a users forum has just been added, as well as, many helpful hints.

Please take a moment and visit their website, and watch their videos and try out their demo! I am sure you will be hooked!

Have a Happy Homeschooling Day!

Web Design for Kids

Web Design for Kids (and Curious Adults), sounds like a fun  idea doesn't it? I sat down with my 14 year old to work through this program. My 14 year old, had virtually no computer experience. He could create a word document, and look up football stats, and that has been the extent of his exposure.

We sat down one afternoon, and  started at the very beginning. Which actually was not with  web design. Our host, Brian,  asked that if you are not familiar with file folder (file cabinet) management, to review that first. So we watch that section. And within a few moments my son had it mastered.

The only issue we had, was we are using a different version of Windows, so I had to pause the DVD several times, in order to show where to find on our computer what was  being shown on the screen.

After our first session, my son walked away with this one statement.... "I want a computer!" He had been saving for a new video game system, and now he would like to get a computer instead.  YEAH!! Maturity!

Brian from Click Drag Solutions has a very sweet demeanor, and he is very easy to follow. His "helpers" which are 2 adolescents, ask questions while he teaches, which was great, because sometimes, they were the very questions I or my son was thinking of.

Brian will teach you how to build a web page using Internet Explorer and Notepad, both of which should be already available on any Windows operating systems.

 Even if you the parent have very little computer experience, you and your child will walk away from this program with a basic understanding of HTML and web design. And all of this for $19.99, with a money back guarantee.

Please visit Click Drag Solutions and check out this great company!

 

 

Grapevine Studies

I had heard this name for years, well it seems like it has been at least a couple of years. I had even received something from them for free. A cd of an Old Testament Timeline. But I really didn't get it. I mean what was so special about an OT Timeline, and stick figuring what was the purpose, it just did not make sense to me......

Then this year as part of The Homeschool Crew, we were given the opportunity to review a product from Grapevine Studies. I have always still been intrigued by them, even though I did not understand, so I was eager to see what they were all about.

We decided to review The New Testament Overview. I chose to do Level 3 and Level 4. I was excited that in Level 4 we would be teaching the kids how to use bible study materials like the Concordance, Topical Bible and a Bible Dictionary. Things that I have already had them practice using, though I was excited to know that this would be covered in this curriculum.

Right off the bat, one thing that I have enjoyed is that we are doing this study together, with my kids that are using level 3 and level 4. 

Now, let's talk about stick figuring. It really is just as simple as it sounds. You are drawing stick figures on a timeline and throughout the study about different bible events.

This activity really does help to concrete the information in the mind of a child. (no matter the age) My children of all ages ( 10-17) all enjoyed this process. They even giggled as their mother was drawing stick figures on the white board.

What we found, is it really made a difference as we were going through the process. I have always known, and if you have read my reviews for any amount of time, you know, that my children really need to have all different kinds of modalities to learn. When we have done bible studies in the past, the curriculum was very dry. Not the bible... the curriculum. Grapevine really helped to bring the bible alive, as we (the kids) thought about how they were going to illustrate the different  events.

I really like the set up of the Grapevine Studies. First off, it is "non-denominational". The facts are basic enough that you can insert your family doctrine. And you use your personal bible preference, which is really important to me. The verses are listed vs. printed out on the page. This is wonderful for consistency.

Grapevine Studies offer you the choice of purchasing E-books or physical books, which ever works for your family. We received the E-books, and I personally have enjoyed that format. We have been printing out what we need as we go along, and enough for each of the children in our family.

The pricing is reasonable. Click here to check out all of their studies! There are studies available from 5 years old all the way through adult.

Happy Stick Figuring!!!

 

SALE at Friendly Chemistry

Hello everyone,

  If you have been following my blog, you know that I reviewed Friendly Chemistry while on the Homeschool Crew. Well, the good people at Friendly Chemistrylet me know they are having a sale.

Here is the info:

BIG SUMMER SALE!  In an effort to get a great chemistry curriculum in the hands of more families, Hideaway Ventures, the creators of Friendly Chemistry, is hosting a BIG summer sale on thier curriculum!  From today (July 8th) until September 1st, 2009, the retail cost per student text will be $30.00 and the teacher's edition will be $40.00 (shipping included).  This is less than half the regular price.  If you've been contemplating using Friendly Chemistry, now would be the time to make your choice!  Go to www.friendlychemistry.com to learn more about this unique chemistry curriculum.

Check my archive for the original review.

Happy Homeschooling!

2009 Summer Subscriptions from The Old Schoolhouse!

2009 Summer Subscription Specials

from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

 

Yes, I am a member of the Homeschool Crew. However, that is not why I love The Old Schoolhouse Magazine! I have loved this magazine from the moment I recieved my first issue! I have been talking to my homeschool group friends about TOS for years! Long before the crew ever existed!!!

I would always tell them, watch for when they are having their specials, you really can't beat the value you get!! The magazine alone is worth the price, however, when you add in all the bonuses, you simply cannot beat the value you get dollar for dollar!

Well it's that time again!!!  They are having, what I think is their best special in my memory! The first 5,000 people to subscribe for 2 years will recieve these 19 gifts. You can click here to read all about them!

I will tell you that included is a gift from Sears Portrait Studio worth $34.98. That one gift alone, just about pays for a 2 year subscription! Which costs $39.00. However, some of the other items included are a $10 gift certificate from Apologia, and from Daystar. And a one year membership to "I Can Write", just to name a few!!! There are too many to write about.

Please visit TOS and read the complete list of awesome vendors that have generously participated in the Summer Bouquet event!!!

Happy Homeschooling!

Teen Camp 2009

Teen Camp 2009

 

 

Three of my children, the 3 in the middle, have gone to teen camp this week. I am so thankful they have had the opportunity to go. They have worked hard for several months to help pay for teen camp. You see, back in December, my husband was one of the many of thousands of people who lost ther job. While he has since found employment, we are making about 80% of what we were making. So sending the children to camp was a prayer!!! We all know that if they attended camp this year, it would be through hard work, and lots of prayer. 

The Lord provided in many awesome ways!! The children sold discount cards, as many of the teens did at church. One son works assisting in a homeschool PE class, both boys are mowing lawns, other than our own and getting paid for that. They took care of and took back all of our recyclying and made a good chunk of change. There was also birthday money that was used. And daddy was even to help kick in a bit.

Thie kids are so unbelievably grateful! Our prayer for them, is that while the will enjoy themselves with all of the fellowship with their friends. We long for their hearts to remain open and ready to receive God's Word. And that they would respond to what the Lord wants to do in them!

Would you help us pray for this for our children?

Homeschooling on a Budget

 

    Homeschooling on a Budget

One topic that has come up many many times over the years, is how do you afford to educate your children on a limited income. Or, I cannot possibly homeschool because we can’t afford it. Over the lifetime of our homeschool, we have had lean years and we have had other years where we could afford to buy our hearts desire…. Though, I must admit, I am still very frugal.

   So in this post, I would like to share some real resources and ideas that we have put into place in our family. My prayer is that these ideas will be a blessing to you and your families. I hope that if you are unsure how you are going to acquire all your needed supplies for next year, that perhaps some of these ideas will help you.  Some will be free ideas, while others will be low cost.

  The one thing that you tend to  sacrifice when homeschooling on a lean budget, is time. Depending on what kind of homeschooler you are, that will differ. But one of the easiest ways to save money is to do your own planning.  When you buy boxed curriculum you are paying for them to do your leg work.  So at minimum you can start by not buying boxed curriculum.   However, that can still only save you so much. You will need to get creative, and that is where I hope this post will help spark even some other ideas of your own.

  One thing that I try to do, is to not allow our days to become just worksheets and school work when money is tight. So I also look for ideas and activities that we can do, that will be fun and educational all at the same time. I will share some of these here.

 So work through this entire post, and see what nuggets you find through out that might be a blessing to you and your homeschool. One thing that really helps homeschoolers succeed, are other homeschoolers!   If you have tricks that have helped you homeschool on a lean budget, please post a comment and share them with us!!! 

A great place to start is a great e-book on currclick that costs $5. It is chock full of freebies that will help your homeschool.  http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=25765&it=1&

   Another way to help with costs, is looking at the method in which you homeschool. There are several different methods out there.

   You can find some helpful information on the different homeschool methods here: http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/How_To_Homeschool/Articles.php .  I have found that a literature rich, Charlotte Mason type method is one of the most economical ways to homeschool. Here is a website that will explain Charlotte Mason more in depth. http://homemade.truepath.com/ When you use a literature rich method, you can usually acquire books for relatively little money. I have included links later in the post to both free books online as well as to notebooking pages you can use with them for free. 

  Another way to educate on a lean budget is by using lapbooks, file folder games and making games out of regular household supplies. As well as doing experiments with supplies from around the house.  Here is a website that is full of creative ideas, that may spark some for you. http://heartofthematteronline.com/. There are more links in the links section at the bottom if this post to show you how to make file folder games and lapbooks. At a mom's night our homeschool group recently held, onf of our mom's how to make learning games out of common supplies and existing games. For example, you can use a jeopardy game (or make your own) and make up the categories to go along with a unit you have just studied. And then make up the questions, just like on the TV show Jeopardy. The children then can play the contestants, and review all of the facts they have just learned!      

  As you can see there are many options, you just need to think out of the box. So many times we get stuck in trying to emulate the classroom, that we forget we have many more options available to us. Please take some time looking through this post. I pray that you will find something that will help your homeschool.  

 

How to Find Free or Nearly Free Books and Supplies

One of the best resources is your public library. Not only can you check out for free some awesome resources, you can also watch for their friends of the library sales, and purchase books for dirt cheap. These sales usually last for about a week and they are usually crowded, but you can walk away with bags of books for almost no money.  Books are usually 25-50 cents each, and then on the last day they are usually a buck a bag! So I usually go to the sale at least twice.  The first day and the last.

Join Staples Teacher rewards program. You will earn a percentage of your purchases back, in the form of a check to spend at staples. In August they have their annual teacher appreciation day. You will get a free bag of goodies on that day. Along with free coffee and donuts. This is a fun morning to spend with fellow homeschool moms!  I have received flash drives, calendars planners and more on these days. They  also hold raffles on that day for big ticket items. Also, there are no limits on the sale items that day. So if there is an item you want, but normally there is a limit of 3, on that day, teachers will have no limits! And yes, they recognize homeschoolers as teachers! Also, if you turn in your used ink cartridges there for your printer, you will receive $3 per cartridge. They will send you a check once a month to spent at Staples.

Watch the back to school ads. Walmart, Target, Staples, even sometimes the grocery and drugstores, will have their art supplies and pens and paper, etc.. for dirt cheap. I stock up once a year. I do my best to not have to buy these at any other time of year.

   

Free Curriculum Online

One of my favorite things to recommend when people are having trouble acquiring curriculum, is Old Fashioned Education (OFE). http://oldfashionededucation.com/fullcurriculum.htm

Some of you have heard me discuss this before, however, I have also had people who have been confused on how it works, so I thought I would take some time to explain.

   OFE was designed by Miss Maggie, a homeschool mom of I believe 2 boys. Very active boys. And at the same time her family had little or no money to commit to the education fund. So she had to be creative. And that creativity is now blessing thousands of homeschool families. It has even blessed mine.

   As with any other homeschool product you can tweak it to fit your individual needs. But here is how it works.

Miss Maggie has designed curriculum complete with lesson plans all the way up to the 11^th grade. Generally you will still be required to purchase a math or science curriculum of your choice. However some years, especially the younger years, she does offer science, an there is a math program available, however I found it to be confusing and always purchased my own.

 How does Miss Maggie offer this, well she is not going to send you any books! These are all available online. She has scoured the internet and these books are all books that have lost their copyright, which means they are written prior to 1925. For example, 10^th grade history, they are using the text, Beacon Lights of History Vol 6. When you click on that title, it will take you to the “Project Gutenberg” site, where you can download the book, to read or print.

  How to implement: You have a few choices, you can use her program as she has designed it. You have the choice, of printing out the books or you can read them on the computer. It is up to you. There are some very large books, and some very thin ones.   Now if you do  not want to follow it exactly how she has designed it for the entire year, then she has also supplied all the resources by subject. So you can pick and choose what you would like to use. There are some real gems in there!

   If you find yourself in a real bind to come up with curriculum, and perhaps even if you don’t, check out Old Fashioned Education.

 

Educational Internet Freebies

 

Here I have compiled a list of great freebies that you can use in your homeschool. No matter your homeschool method, one or more of these are bound to be helpful! 

Math

Free software for learning mnultiplication. http://multiplication.com/

 

At this website you will find two math videos, pre algebra and basic math, as well as a game. All available to download for free. http://www.xpmath.com/videos/math_videos.php

 

This is not free, however, there are 2 free programs and all 7 programs will only cost $4.30 Math and Language Arts.

www.vgernet.net/sbasics/

 

Language Arts

Online Grammar and Writing Handbook by Scott Foresman for grades 1-6.  These are complete books that are on PDF. http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghb.html   

 

This is a listing of G.A. Henty books that are available to print or download.

http://henty.ae6gn.com/bookschron.php

 

Phonics and reading comprehension

http://www.starfall.com/

 

Free online spelling curriculum

http://www.spellingcity.com/

 

Free Audio Books Online

http://www.archive.org/browse.php?field=subject&mediatype=audio&collection=oldtimeradio

 

http://librivox.org/

 

http://www.mainlesson.com/main/displayarticle.php?article=aboutus

 

 

Science

Answers in Genesis offers many of their science books for free.  These are the same books that are available for purchase. So check here to see if there is one you cannot afford, maybe it is on the list!  http://www.answersingenesis.org/cec/online_resources.asp

   

Geography

Seterra is geography software that is available to download for free.

http://www.wartoft.nu/software/seterra/

 

Bible

Bible Curriculum

http://children.calvarychapel.com/site/curriculum.htm

 

Electives

Online Typing curriculum http://kids.learn2type.com/NewUser

 

Free Spanish Lessons

http://onlinefreespanish.com/

 

These are notebooking pages you can print out for free that would go with an array of subjects.

http://www.notebookingpages.com/index.php?page=Free-Homeschooling-Resources

 

 

Study Materials

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary Online

http://1828.mshaffer.com/

 

Teacher Resources

Free Charlotte Mason E-books on the left http://simplycharlottemason.com/

 

Too many wonderful things to list!

http://donpotter.net/ed.htm

 

http://donnayoung.org/index.htm

 

File Folder Games and Lapbooking

http://www.filefolderfun.com/

http://www.lapbooklessons.com

 

Full Curriculum

Ambelside Help, this was actually designed after Katrina, however there are lots of great resources listed.

http://www.amblesideonline.org/HELP.shtml

 

Old Fashioned Education

www.oldfashioneducation.com

 

Extras

Flash cards, videos and games

http://mystorytown.com/

Free Dvd’s

http://www.izzit.org/

I pray that some of these will help you in your homeschool!!!