Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
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Wednesday, May 14, 2014
TOS Review: Golden Prairie Press
Digital Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum by Golden Prairie Press is a 30-week history curriculum that covers American History from the time period of 1000 to the present.
Recommended Grade Level: 1st through 6th grades
Price: $98.99
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What's included in Digital Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum?
The curriculum includes three e-books and three downloads.
The first two e-books contain the bulk of the curriculum with a total of 30 sections. Each section consists of 5 lessons. The Scope and Sequence suggests completing one section each week, one lesson per day, over a 30 week period.
The first e-book, Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History, Part 1, covers the time period 1000-1837 and consists of 15 sections, totaling 388 pages.
The second e-book, Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History, Part 2, covers the time period 1837 to the present and consists of 15 sections, totaling 408 pages.
The third e-book, Historical Skits, consists of 19 historical skits to bring history alive.
There are Additional Materials that can be downloaded to supplement the curriculum. The supplemental materials include instructions, videos, colorful historical artwork, and printable timelines, maps, games, and coloring sheets.
In addition, the Sing Some History CD can be downloaded. There are a total of 20 songs that compliment the curriculum.
Lastly, the Listen to Some U.S. History MP3 CD contains an audio collection of 20 original speeches, poems, sermons, and documents that are mentioned in the curriculum.
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How did we incorporate Digital Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum into our daily schedule?
We followed the suggested schedule of completing one lesson per day, which resulted in completing one section each week. Each lesson took approximately 30-60 minutes to complete.
The lessons in the Part 1 and Part 2 e-books are divided into two sections. The first section is geared toward 1st and 2nd grades with the information presented as a basic overview. The second section contains the same information, but is more advanced for 3rd through 6th grades. You can see the difference by viewing the sample for Section 1, Lessons 1-3.
We used the reading section as a read aloud. The following is the one-page reading material from Section 1, Lesson 4, for 1st-2nd grade. You will notice that the font is larger and that there is only one picture.
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| Digital Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum, Section 1: Lesson 4 |
Izzie, 7 years old, preferred the 3rd-6th grade reading section over the 1st-2nd grade reading section. The following is the three-page reading material from Section 1, Lesson 4, for 3rd through 6th grades. The older reading material included more detailed information, more pictures, and a map.
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| Digital Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum, Section 1: Lesson 4 |
After reading the lesson material, I would choose a couple of activities for Izzie to complete. At the end of each lesson, there are a variety of activities to complete. The activities include review questions, writing topics, mapping skills, hands-on projects, additional reading assignments, examining historical art, timeline information, historical skits, games, recipes, songs, and a memory verse to recite. This particular lesson had two pages worth of activities at the end of the lesson.
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| Digital Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum, Section 1: Lesson 4 |
Izzie always completed the review questions, orally. Some of the review questions at the end of each lesson seemed to correspond better with the older reading material; however, most questions were open-ended. She also enjoyed completing the Geography section, which focused mostly on mapping skills. Most of the maps within the reading section were too small to actually use, but she still enjoyed investigating the maps. Some of the maps are available in a larger format on the Additional Materials download, but not all of them.
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| Digital Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum, Section 1: Lesson 4 |
Izzie loves learning about art; therefore, her favorite activity was examining the historical art and answering questions about the artwork. All of the historical artwork can be downloaded and printed larger from the Additional Materials.
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| Digital Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum, Section 1: Lesson 4 |
At the end of Section 1, Lesson 4, Izzie colored Christopher Columbus' Coat of Arms.
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| Digital Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum, Section 1: Lesson 4 |
In addition, she completed the Timeline Information for the year 1492. The Timeline is found on the Additional Materials download. There are four different options on how to complete the Timeline.
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| Digital Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum, Section 1: Lesson 4 |
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| Digital Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum, Section 1: Lesson 4 |
Lastly, in Lesson 4 there was an option to act out a skit about Christopher Columbus. The skits were Izzie's least favorite activities. However, the skits would be much more fun with siblings or in a coop setting.
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| Digital and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum, Section 1: Lesson 4 |
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What did I like about Digital Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum?
1. It is very adaptable for different style learners by simply choosing which additional activities to complete.
2. It can be used by the whole family, even with different grade levels, by using the differentiated reading material and by choosing specific activities for different students.
3. The implementation of a variety of cross-curricular activities that included, geography, art, music, drama, writing, and literature, was extremely beneficial.
4. I have been searching for an American history curriculum with a Charlotte Mason approach for awhile. After using the Digital Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum, I'm thrilled to announce that it does have a Charlotte Mason approach, which is a great fit for our family!
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In conclusion, I would recommend Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum. However, I would encourage you to purchase the "printed" version. It's the EXACT same price as the "digital" version. Save yourself time, ink, paper, and money and go with the printed version!
Be sure to check out what other Crew Mates had to say about their experience with Digital Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum by Golden Prairie Press.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
First and Last Days of Coop
The weather is getting warmer and our weekly coop has ended, which means our school year is winding down! We've had another amazing year at coop and the girls were a little disappointed that Friday was their last day. However, I'm looking forward to more free time and a lot of outside fun!
First Day of Coop, September 2013
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Last Day of Coop, May 2014
Friday, May 9, 2014
TOS Review: Logic of English
Logic of English has created an innovative curriculum, The Rhythm of Handwriting, this is developmentally appropriate for young children or students who struggle with handwriting. The multi-sensory curriculum teaches children how to develop rhythmic and legible handwriting skills.
During the review period, Izzie (7 years old), has been improving her cursive handwriting by using the Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive-Complete Set.
Price: $65
Recommended Age Range:
From the perspective of motor skills, Logic of English recommends beginning cursive writing with children, as young as four years old.
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During the review period, Izzie (7 years old), has been improving her cursive handwriting by using the Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive-Complete Set.
Price: $65
Recommended Age Range:
From the perspective of motor skills, Logic of English recommends beginning cursive writing with children, as young as four years old.
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What's included in the The Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive-Complete Set?
The softbound Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive Student Book is softbound and consists of 174 total pages. At the beginning, there are teaching tips for parents, suggested schedules for different age levels, and ideas for handwriting practice.
The student book introduces lowercase letters first. The letters in the workbook are organized by initial strokes. The lowercase letters are divided into swing letters, curve letters, loop letters, and bump letters. After the lowercase letters are mastered, the student will continue with uppercase letters. The uppercase letters are divided into roll letters, loop letters, circle letters, slash letters, and miscellaneous letters. Throughout learning the letters, the student will be introduced to connecting letters within words.
Each letter is introduced with a multi-sensory approach beginning with large-motor movements. The parent will demonstrate how to write the letter using his/her pointer finger on the Handwriting Chart included in the student workbook, while stating the proper instructions aloud and ending with the sound(s) made by the letter. The student will imitate the motions using his/her pointer finger, while restating the instructions and making the sound(s) of the letter.
In order to simplify the learning process and to encourage muscle memory, letters are organized by initial strokes. Two letters with the same initial stroke are introduced at a time.
At the top of the page, there are short, bold, rhythmic instructions on how to write each letter and where to place it on the provided lines. In addition, the sound(s) of each letter is included.
The parent will model the correct way to write each letter, while stating the instructions aloud and ending with the sound(s) made by the letter. The student will continue to practice the correct letter formation, using his/her pointer finger, while restating the instructions and the sound(s) of the letter.
After the motions have been learned, the student should continue to practice the proper sequence of movements by using the included Handwriting Tactile Cards before advancing to writing with a pencil.
The set includes handwriting strokes, lowercase and uppercase letters, and the numbers 0-9. The Handwriting Tactile Cards have a raised, sandpaper texture. In addition, each 6 x 4.5 card is printed on heavy card-stock and coated for durability.
The rhythmic instructions on how to properly write each letter and where to place it on the lines are included on the back of each Handwriting Tactile Card.
In addition, the student can practice writing on the included double-sided Student Whiteboard.
On the front of the half-size whiteboard (8 x 11 inches), there is a large handwriting chart. This side is ideal for the student to practice writing strokes and letters.
There are five lines on the reverse side for writing words, phrases, sentences, and short paragraphs.
Once the student has mastered forming the letter using large-motor movements, he or she is ready to transition to writing the specific letter with pencil and paper. Each letter has one page of practice lines, varying in line sizes.
Throughout the Student Workbook, there are lessons that teach the student the proper way that letters connect with practice writing pages.
In addition, there is a Rhythm of Handwriting Quick Reference included in the set. The chart is printed on thick card-stock and coated for durability. It is color-coded and neatly organized by initial stokes. Each letter has the short, bold, rhythmic instructions on how to properly write the letter. There is a fold out flap that includes instructions for proper ways to connect letters.
The softbound Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive Student Book is softbound and consists of 174 total pages. At the beginning, there are teaching tips for parents, suggested schedules for different age levels, and ideas for handwriting practice.
The student book introduces lowercase letters first. The letters in the workbook are organized by initial strokes. The lowercase letters are divided into swing letters, curve letters, loop letters, and bump letters. After the lowercase letters are mastered, the student will continue with uppercase letters. The uppercase letters are divided into roll letters, loop letters, circle letters, slash letters, and miscellaneous letters. Throughout learning the letters, the student will be introduced to connecting letters within words.
Each letter is introduced with a multi-sensory approach beginning with large-motor movements. The parent will demonstrate how to write the letter using his/her pointer finger on the Handwriting Chart included in the student workbook, while stating the proper instructions aloud and ending with the sound(s) made by the letter. The student will imitate the motions using his/her pointer finger, while restating the instructions and making the sound(s) of the letter.
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| Rhythm of Handwriting, Handwriting Chart |
In order to simplify the learning process and to encourage muscle memory, letters are organized by initial strokes. Two letters with the same initial stroke are introduced at a time.
At the top of the page, there are short, bold, rhythmic instructions on how to write each letter and where to place it on the provided lines. In addition, the sound(s) of each letter is included.
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| Rhythm of Handwriting, Swing Letters |
The parent will model the correct way to write each letter, while stating the instructions aloud and ending with the sound(s) made by the letter. The student will continue to practice the correct letter formation, using his/her pointer finger, while restating the instructions and the sound(s) of the letter.
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| Rhythm of Handwriting, Swing Letters |
After the motions have been learned, the student should continue to practice the proper sequence of movements by using the included Handwriting Tactile Cards before advancing to writing with a pencil.
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| Rhythm of Handwriting, Handwriting Tactile Cards |
The set includes handwriting strokes, lowercase and uppercase letters, and the numbers 0-9. The Handwriting Tactile Cards have a raised, sandpaper texture. In addition, each 6 x 4.5 card is printed on heavy card-stock and coated for durability.
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| Rhythm of Handwriting, Handwriting Tactile Cards |
The rhythmic instructions on how to properly write each letter and where to place it on the lines are included on the back of each Handwriting Tactile Card.
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| Rhythm of Handwriting, Handwriting Tactile Cards |
In addition, the student can practice writing on the included double-sided Student Whiteboard.
On the front of the half-size whiteboard (8 x 11 inches), there is a large handwriting chart. This side is ideal for the student to practice writing strokes and letters.
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| Rhythm of Handwriting, Student Whiteboard |
There are five lines on the reverse side for writing words, phrases, sentences, and short paragraphs.
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| Rhythm of Handwriting, Student Whiteboard |
Once the student has mastered forming the letter using large-motor movements, he or she is ready to transition to writing the specific letter with pencil and paper. Each letter has one page of practice lines, varying in line sizes.
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| Rhythm of Handwriting, Swing Letters |
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| Rhythm of Handwriting, Swing Letters |
Throughout the Student Workbook, there are lessons that teach the student the proper way that letters connect with practice writing pages.
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| Rhythm of Handwriting, Connecting Letters |
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| Rhythm of Handwriting, Connecting Letters |
In addition, there is a Rhythm of Handwriting Quick Reference included in the set. The chart is printed on thick card-stock and coated for durability. It is color-coded and neatly organized by initial stokes. Each letter has the short, bold, rhythmic instructions on how to properly write the letter. There is a fold out flap that includes instructions for proper ways to connect letters.
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| Rhythm of Handwriting, Quick Reference Chart |
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| Rhythm of Handwriting, Quick Reference Chart |
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| Rhythm of Handwriting, Quick Reference Chart |
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What did I like about the Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive-Complete Set?
1. It was extremely parent and child friendly, which made it easy to incorporate into our daily schedule.
2. It teaches mastery of letter formation; therefore, each child can work at his/her own pace.
3. The detailed instructions are very clear and simple to understand, which results in minimal parent preparation.
4. Izzie benefited from having the a multi-sensory curriculum. She really enjoyed using the tactile cards, while learning how to properly write the letters. This greatly reduced her frustration because she wasn't trying to prefect the letters on paper before knowing exactly how to write the letters.
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Connect with Logic of English via...
https://www.facebook.com/TheLogicOfEnglish
https://www.pinterest.com/logicofenglish/
https://www.youtube.com/logicofenglish/
https://twitter.com/LogicofEnglish
Be sure to check out what other Crew Mates had to say about their experience with Logic of English.
What did I like about the Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive-Complete Set?
2. It teaches mastery of letter formation; therefore, each child can work at his/her own pace.
3. The detailed instructions are very clear and simple to understand, which results in minimal parent preparation.
4. Izzie benefited from having the a multi-sensory curriculum. She really enjoyed using the tactile cards, while learning how to properly write the letters. This greatly reduced her frustration because she wasn't trying to prefect the letters on paper before knowing exactly how to write the letters.
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Connect with Logic of English via...
https://www.facebook.com/TheLogicOfEnglish
https://www.pinterest.com/logicofenglish/
https://www.youtube.com/logicofenglish/
https://twitter.com/LogicofEnglish
Be sure to check out what other Crew Mates had to say about their experience with Logic of English.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Jasper Johns American Flags
The girls and I are still traveling around the world! This week, they learned about the history of the American flag. Did you know that the design of the American flag has been officially modified 26 times since 1777? The most current American flag was designed by a 17-year old high school student in 1959. In addition, they learned what the colors, stripes, and stars represent on the American flag.
The girls and several of their friends had a great time creating their own Jasper Johns American flags.
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