The Compass Classroom

Looking for your curriculum for next year? Latin, American History, Film Making, Economics and more are 30% off until Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at The Compass Classroom! We have used (and LOVED) their Visual Latin course and have the Economics to use in the near future! I am also interested in their American History course!

Click the picture to head on over to their site!

Disclaimer: This link is an affiliate link. Thank you!

TOS Review ~ CapJaxMathFax

Today we are reviewing CapJaxMathFax. CapJaxMathFax is a quick and easy way to learn (and track) Math Facts without the use of flashcards.The hardest part of using CapJaxMathFax was the download/install/run process! However, Captain Jack has EXCELLENT customer service and helped us get up and running very quickly!Below you see a screenshot of CapJaxMathFax. This screenshot shows you what the "Play for Rating" screen looks like. Basically you enter your name, select add, subtract, multiply or divide and check play for rating. When you follow these steps you will see the summary chart on the side with the mastery rating. Along the top you will see how many facts were answered and how many were at the Super (less than 3 seconds) level and the average time (in seconds) it took to answer the fact. When played in this mode the scores are tracked and able to be viewed in the Desktop Folder by the parent. A student can also play in practice mode. In practice mode the scores are not tracked but the student has more flexibility in the selection of the level, number of facts in a set and how many seconds they want to be in Super Seconds.In a Nutshell~Age: 6+~$29.95/year~Available as a download or CD-Rom (additional $5.95)~Merit Badges available for extra reinforcement $4
Our ThoughtsWhile Ladybug could have used this product (and probably will soon), Unicorn is the one who REALLY needs work on her basic math facts. She has enjoyed using this program and it is helping her to learn her facts. One thing I would like to see is an option for the parent (or teacher) to be able to adjust the Super Seconds. Unicorn has some difficulties with seeing the question, figuring out the answer, and then typing the answer all in 3 seconds. I would love to be able to give her 5 seconds for this. This feature would also make the product easier to use with younger children. With Ladybug she will tell me the answer and I will type it for her so she doesn't have to locate the numbers on the keyboard as well.
Click here to see what my Crew Mates are saying about this product.
{Disclaimer: I received a subscription for this product in exchange for an honest review. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own.}

TOS Review ~ Math Rider

We have been given the opportunity to review a math facts game called Math Rider (personal edition version 3). Math Rider is a simple yet effective way for students to learn their math facts (something that seems to be difficult in this house)!Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division are all included. For each operation there are 3 levels (easy, medium and advanced). Each level is called a quest. At the beginning of each quest, you and your horse Shadow are given a challenge. To complete the quest successfully you must obtain a certain level of fact mastery. Below is a sample screenshot of a ride. The rider and his/her horse are on the bottom left and the facts appear on the bottom right of the screen. The background is pretty simple to as not to be a distraction.As you complete each ride (fact practice) you move through the quests and learn the facts. Below is a sample screenshot of facts that have been mastered.The Basics~Grades 2+ (ages 6+)~$49.95 (currently on sale for $37)~Download (Internet not required for game play)~Up to 8 riders/users (riders can be deleted and replaced with new riders)~FAQ
Our Thoughts~Unicorn (12) loves it! I love that she loves it. She struggles with her math facts and always has. She no longer fights me when I ask her to practice her facts. In fact, she often asks to "play" Math Rider!~Ladybug (5) also enjoye Math Rider. She gets a little frustrated because she want to learn her facts and move on to new quests but she is not ready for the advanced levels of addition or for subtraction, multiplication or division.~I like that the game adapts to how fast a player types and that is has multiple levels. I also really like that there is just enough animation to keep kids interested without being distracting. In fact, the only thing that I think would make it better is to have one more level (at least at the addition and subtraction levels) for younger students. However, it is awesome the way it is!
Click here to read what my Crew Mates thought of Math Rider.
{Disclaimer: I was given a trial subscription to Math Rider in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.}

TOS Review ~ Fractazmic (I See Cards)

In a Nutshell:~A card game that helps students learn Fractions~$6.95+S&H~Easy to learn, easy to play~Grades 1-8 (Fun for all ages).~Basic idea is to collect as many "hands" (cards within a suit that equal to ONE) as you can before someone runs out of cards.
What is included?~1 deck of 60 cards in 3 suits~Instructions on how to play
Our Thoughts:~Unicorn (11) enjoyed the game. "This is the best way to learn fractions...I just wish they used easier fractions."~Ladybug (5) is not quite ready for this game yet. I will definitely be hanging onto it for her though! ~I think this is a really neat (affordable) way to learn/reinforce fractions. I love that there are pictures to represent the fractions. This game would be really good for those hands-on or visual learners!
More Products:~Pyramath (try it online)~Prime Bomb~I See CardsClick here to see what my Crew Mates are saying about Fractazmic!{Disclaimer: I received Fractazmic in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own.}

2010-2011 Curriculum (5th grade)

  

Well, here is our 5th grade curriculum for this year!

This is a very eclectic curriculum! These materials were chosen based on Unicorn's learning style, her ability level, affordability and the ability to reuse and adapt material for the younger children when they reach this level!

History, English and Science lesson plans are adapted from "The Four Year Plan - An Education Plan for LDS Families" by Kindred Learning.

History (US): A History of US: 11-Volume Set by Hakim Too much for Unicorn, we will be notebooking US History!
     -Movie List (most via Netflix): The Vikings (NOVA, 2000); The Sea Hawk (1940), Squanto, AWarrior's Tale; Drums along the Mohawk (1939); The Mouse on the Mayflower (1968); Ben and Me; Johnny Tremain; The Howards of Virginia; 1776; A More Perfect Union; Mr. Smith Goes to Washington; The Buccaneer (1958); Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery (PBS); Daniel Boone; Davy Crockett; Legacy; The Alamo; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; American Legends; Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventure (1995); The Mask of Zorro (1998); Sarah, Plain and Tall; The Civil War; Gone With the Wind; The Red Badge of Courage; An American Tail, Fieval Goes West; The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance; and Oklahoma.

English (Analysis and Opinion): Writers Express by Kemper, Nathan, Sebranek
     -Reading List:  The Sign of the Beaver (Speare); Ben and Me (Lawson); The Witch of Blackbird Pond (Speare); Johnny Tremain (Forbes); Will You Sign Here, John Hancock? (Fritz); Guns for General Washington (Reit); Shh! We're Writing the Constitution (Fritz); Rip Van Winkle (Irving); Caddie Woodlawn (Brink); Little House on the Prairie (Wilder); Sarah, Plain and Tall (MacLachlan); Across Five Aprils (Hunt); The Red Badge of Courage (Crane); and Shades of Gray (Reeder)

Science (Physics): Concepts and Challenges in Physical Science by Bernstein, Schachter, Winkler, and Wolfe; Physics for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments in Motion, Heat, Light, Machines, and Sound by Van Cleave; and How Science Works by Hann  Also, too much for Unicorn, we will be notebooking topics that are of interest to her!

Math: Math Mammoth by Maria Miller. Since this is where Unicorn struggles we have gone back to the beginning (she is currently in the 2nd semester of 1st grade) and she is going through the entire 1-8 curriculum at HER pace. The goal is to have her finish the entire curriculum before starting High School. Additionally, she is working through Dreambox.com which is a computer-based K-3 Math website. This is great because it adjust the level of difficulty based on her responses!

Spelling: Unicorn has been in charter schools using the Spalding Method of Phonics and Spelling. She is almost finished with the word lists. Once these lists are complete she will move on to BYU Independent Study Spelling and English courses.

Grammar: Grammarlogues

Typing: Sue Patrick (the author of the Workbox System) has a typing curriculum that is available if you purchase her ebook. This typing curriculum focuses on teaching finger placement. Unicorn will start with this curriculum and then move on to Type To Learn (TTL4) once finger placement is mastered.

Art: Unicorn will start by Discovering Great Artists and then she will move onto Artistic Pursuits.

Music: Unicorn will begin by learning about famous composers in Ah, Music!

Foreign Language: Daddy, Unicorn and I will all be learning Latin using Rosetta Stone!

PE: Various Activities including the WiiFit Plus, walking and playing!

Religion: Discover the Scriptures: Hands-on Church History vol. 1 - Restoration and Growth

Life Skills: We will also be learning how to cook, garden, sew, etc. These topics will be taught by mom, dad, and grandma (based on our talents and skills). We will also be using BYU Independent Study courses to assist in some of these areas.

As a Family: Each morning we will read scriptures, pray, work on memorizing a scripture, poem, or quote and have a read-aloud. We will continue reading The Magic Treehouse series. We will also try to have 1-2 Field Trips a month (click here for more info. on Field Trips).

Preschool: Ladybug and Monkey (and my other preschoolers) will be using Mother Goose Time and Signing Time as the main curriculum. I also supplement with the Spalding Method of Phonics and Spelling.

I realize this seems like a lot of stuff but, not all subjects will be taught each day!

We will be using Sue Patrick's Workbox System as a way of organizing daily lessons and as a means to help Unicorn become more self-sufficient. More on this to come!  :)

Year-Round Educating...

While we will continue with Math, Religion, Reading and Preschool (and writing our Penpals) throughout the summer, I will be posting less frequently until August. We are getting ready to move (again) and I have started a new part-time job at the community college, so our "schedule" (term used loosely) will be a little crazy until the end of July!

Unicorn is progressing through Dreambox.com, Math Mammoth and has been reading books like crazy. She is almost finished with the "Series of Unfortunate Events" by Lemony Snicket, she only has one book left. She has also read "Ella Enchanted" and is starting "Hatchet" today for the "Beach Bag Book Club" that starts on Thursday. Tomorrow we will sign up for the library summer reading club. Also, tomorrow begins the summer movies at Harkins Theatres, the first show is "Charlotte's Web"! For Religion during the summer I am going to have her read "Book of Mormon Stories" and do the "Book of Mormon Workbook" from Discover the Scriptures. While the stories and the workbook are below her grade level in reading it will be a good introduction to studying the scriptures daily.

Ladybug is having a blast with the Mother Goose Time preschool curriculum. I have been supplementing it with extra letter and number pages to give her more practice with writing. 

Check out some pictures of what they have been doing!

Ladybug's Piggy Bank

Practicing "F" and "6"

Fun with Colors

Wow...can you believe she just turned 4!!

Ladybug's Pizza

Unicorn wanted to make Pizza too, so she found some scraps and made a Pizza!

Beary Scary Ladybug!

Our Bean Project!

Another way to Grow Beans!

Another angle on the planted Beans!