Python Programming

OK, homeschool mom confession time!  Sometimes I bite off more than I can chew.  I know, I know, it is something I am working on.  BUT, in my defense there are just so many amazing curriculum out there and not enough time, or kids, in this house anymore to use them all.

In this case though, I bit off more than my child could choose!   CompuScholar Python Programming was just that tempting! 

And still is...when my 8th grader is a bit more ready for it!  (There is a reason we should heed age recommendations sometimes, ladies!)

Like all moms, I profess my kid is a genius.  And he is in many areas.  But while he loves all things computer, programming at this level was just a bit more than he was ready for.

Python is one of the most popular basic computer programming languages. Python Programming, a one semester course, is a great subscription that takes you through multiple, well designed lessons, to teach basic programming.  It requires no software installation to your computer and does not have your child running willy nilly through the vast internet world!  The student writes their coding on Python's online engine, something I greatly appreciate.  Each video lesson works through a specific learning objective and then there is a time for your child to take a quiz and complete a corresponding project.  Luckily for you, the projects and quizzes are auto graded!

My son began this as a new 8th grader and did well on his own for the first few lessons, really enjoying the activities.  Unfortunately for him, I am NOT a computer lover and was having him do the lessons on his own,  That worked well until he got stuck and needed my help.  um.....  nope, I had no clue!  We were able to push through with the help of a fellow homeschool mom (it takes a village, ya'll) but after that he was discouraged, not happy with my lack of knowledge, and finally asked if he and dad could just start over.

So...that is the plan!  Huge praise that as a homeschooling family we have the freedom to know when to stop and regroup and have the freedom to know what is best for our children.  I KNOW with a little age and maturity on him, Python Programming will be a great program for Colby and be a nice addition to his transcript for a Computer Science credit.

It is well organized, affordable, and let's face it, the wave of the future.  Computers are not going away, ya'll- time to learn to  better use them!  And yes, I am speaking to myself!

Topics Covered:

Printing and User Input

Data types and variables

Logical expressions and flow control

Debugging skills

Lists and Loops

Working with numbers, dates and strings

Writing and using functions

Simple Object-Oriented Programming

...and more!

Python Programming is also a part of Timberdoodle's 11th grade curriculum kit.

 

 

Medical Investigation 101

Homeschooling for the most part has been fairly easy for us.  After all, I have been teaching our four kiddos for over 23 years!  I plug in reading, writing, math, science and history to our schedule and off we go!  

The hard part?  Electives!  All our kids are quite different and therefore have quite different ideas of what an elective should look like.  Sometimes I let them chose and sometimes something catches my eye to try.

 

Such was the case with Medical Investigation 101, given to us by Timberdoodle Co to review.  I mean, just the name sounds cool, right?

 

 

Medical Investigation 101 is comprised of a 247 page Student book, student work text, and teacher's edition.  The subtitle- "A Book to Inspire Your Interest in Medicine and How Doctors Think" gives you a good idea of what this book is really about.

 

The book begins discussing the medical field and introduces many vocabulary words by talking about various kinds of doctors.  It mentions some of the challenges of the medical profession (should be required reading for any current doctors) and encourages the reader to explore the world of medicine on their own.  It then turns to medical complaints by the presenting of "patients", giving patient backgrounds, symptoms and such, and encouraging problem solving skills using the background information they have provided to diagnose the patient.  As you proceed, more medical information is provided such as the role of blood, food-borne illnesses and common conditions including diabetes, respiratory illnesses and heart attacks.  You can think of it as a mini science lesson!

 

The accompanying student workbook begins with a good amount of vocabulary review and then has corresponding pages to each medical case.  After taking notes on each patient, further activities include vocabulary, fill in the blanks and matching activities, and word puzzles.  Do not let the graphics fool you though, this is not fluff and will challenge a high schooler to use their brains a bit! 

The teacher's edition is basically the workbook with the answers filled in (thank you!), but also has a short summary of each chapter to help you as a teacher keep up.

OK, every mom wants their child to be a doctor, right? ;)  But this is not only a neat way to introduce the world of medicine to your student in a fun way, but also to challenge their problem solving.  We often tell our kids they need to think outside the box, and that, I believe, is most certainly true in the medical world! 

So yes, if your child is even the bit interested in medicine you will want to grab this set!  It is also a great way to expose them to more areas in medicine than most of us are familiar with.  I am a firm believer in our kids would have more choices deciding their chosen career if they actually KNEW what choices were out there!  But even if you have a kiddo who does not long to be a doctor- this is a great elective offered in a fun, non threatening way that will challenge their problem solving skills.

Medical Investigations 101 can be found in the 11th grade curriculum kit offered by Timberdoodle, or ordered separately.  I would recommend it for 8th grade and up.

Laser Chess For The Win

You know by now we are a game loving family!  Like, we play games several times a week and often Colby and I end our school day with a quick game of cards or such.  I thought my older kids loved games- but the 13 year has them all beat.  In more ways than one, since he usually DOES win!

I was thrilled to be able to add a new game to our ever growing collection, because let's face it, we have more time on our hands these days with the virus messing with our plans.  Staying at home is a blessing though when you have fun things to do with your kids!

Laser Chess is a great addition and one I have been eyeing for a while.  The name Chess held me at bay until I got the opportunity to review it for Timberdoodle.  Let's start by saying I do not, nor does anyone in our family, play chess.  And that is OK.  Because other than the fact that you are trying to "capture" someone's king and certain play pieces can do special things, this game is not like traditional chess.

Made me feel a lot better.

Did NOT help me in winning.

But it is a fun game for two people, ages 8 and up.

There are several quick ways to set up the game and then you are ready.  Each player takes turns moving one of their pieces or has the option to rotate one.  Once you do, you push the button to see where your laser beams hits.  You can take out your own man, so careful planning is needed.  Ask me how I know! If you hit your opponent's piece, they remove that piece from the board.  Again, the object is to take out their king. 

Here's where the strategy kicks in.  The pieces are mirrored and reflect the laser beam at 90 degree angles, from one piece to another.  You have to figure out how to position your men to work together to take out your opponent.  Some pieces are always safe, some reflect on two sides, and some reflect only from one side, so careful placement is needed.

I will have to admit this game is not my cup of tea as far as winning, ( I don't. Ever.) but I do enjoy playing it with my son.  Each game takes about 10-20 minutes depending on how skilled, or not, you are.  More importantly though, is all three boys in my house, to include my husband, do like it and have gotten quite good at it. It is fun to watch them strategize and problem solve!

If you are looking for a fun game to keep those kiddos busy this fall, Laser Chess is definitely one you will want to grab!  Not only will they have fun, but they are learning great problem solving skills as they play.  That's a win- win in this momma's book!

*Laser Chess is part of Timberdoodle's 7th Grade kit!

Blessings,

Easy Art for the Win

You know I am not very creative, right?  Like, really, not very creative.  Not only do I not have much talent when it comes to artsy stuff, but I also lack the interest.  Glitter and glue are a part of my past I would like to keep in the past!

But here is the thing- I still have a 12 year old at home who likes an occasional art project.  And quite honestly, even if he did not, his left brain dominated world needs a little more right brain activity occasionally.

When I saw Khan Mosaics I knew it was a good compromise for us both.

Khan Mosaics is a two piece art kit that uses small foam geometric pieces to create a picture, in this case a gorilla and a tiger.  The picture is printed on a thin cardboard for durability, measuring a bit over 8x8.  The foam pieces are self sticking so no glue or anything extra is required. While this may not require much talent, it does require some patience and very good fine motor skill.

Each card is color coded to direct you in placing the titles, ensuring the correct size and shape, as well as numbered so you do not mess up.  The sticky backing is pretty forgiving and the tiles can be peeled off quickly and re-positioned if you mess up.  Ask me how I know this!

So far my son and I have completed one card, taking us about 20 minutes, working together.  He chose the tiger, and off we went.

 

He was quite gracious to allow me to do the little bitty triangles!

Complete!

What we think-
This is a fun little kit!  Is is a bit challenging at times with the little pieces, but a great way to help develop fine motor skills!  It counts as art in my book, minus all the messy stuff.  That is a win!  Because of its size and price, I also think it would be a fun little gift to give.  

Overall it was time well spent and we are already planning on completing the next one- tomorrow!  Maybe I can do the larger pieces this time!
 

Khan Mosaics is also included in the Timberdoodle 4th Grade Curriculum kit.  

A Year in My Life- Colby Edition

We do a lot of reviews around here and many just naturally become a part of our daily school routine.  It makes this momma very happy, and grateful, but sometimes it can quickly overwhelm my 7th grader.  Our school assignment book is often filled to the brim with some pretty serious subjects and assignments.  When I saw A Year My the Life. in the Timberdoodle Co. catalog I know it would be the perfect addition for our busy day that would give us a fun break from the tedious.

My kiddo is left brain dominant.  He loves logic, and numbers, and sequences, and facts and organization.  I mean, REALLY loves those things; sometimes to the detriment of his creative side.  As a matter of fact, part of a program we are currently engaged in is helping us to work on developing his right brain with activities that are much more free flowing and creative.

Hence, my interest in A Year My the Life.
   
This little book has 365 prompts, one for every day of the year, to help you get your creative juices flowing.  Some prompts require more thought and time, others are quite simple and require very little work.  You may be asked to write out a few thoughts on something that happened in your day, or complete a drawing of a hot air balloon.  You could be asked to create a new magical creature or draw a picture of your favorite piece of art.  You can pretend you are a pirate and draw yourself on a ship , draw your favorite vegetables, or write down your most embarrassing moment.  The best part- you can do them in order or you can choose whatever prompt peaks your interest that particular day. 

It is so much fun!

How are we using this?
We had all intentions of doing one of the prompts every day, but we found ourselves forgetting on weekends, so we finally decided to just make it part of our daily school schedule.  Turns out it has been a great way to take a break between harder subjects like math and grammar.  It allows us to take a breath, regroup from frustration, and often laugh together for a few minutes.  AND- it is helping my analytical child have fun being creative.  So, yes, it will last us a bit over a true calendar year, but we are excited to be able to look back at our finished project when we are done.

Why we love this and why you will too!

Super creative! The prompts have such a wide range of subject matter and will appeal to both boys and girls.

Super flexible! Use this as a stocking stuffer or birthday present.  Pretend it is art for the day or give your kids something to do in the car while you run errands. 

Super inexpensive!  ($9.50) Price is great, in my opinion!  Hey, when you spend a fortune om curriculum, that's important to you!

Super quick!  Yes, you can spend a lot of time on each prompt if you choose or if you have a very detail oriented child, but most can be completed in just a few minutes.

Just plain SUPER!  And extremely imaginative.  So grab a copy and get those right sides of the brains working!  The fun will last an entire year.

A Year My the Life. is part of the Timberdoodle 8th Grade Curriculum Kit, but would be great for middle schoolers and up!

Can Biology Be Friendly?

Can you believe that I am on my fourth child in homeschooling and I am still in search of the perfect science program?  Specifically, science at the high school level.  We have used a few we have liked, but man, we have also used a few that I just cannot bring myself to teach for a fourth time!  Biology is one of those subjects.  I am just NOT a science lover, but I do have a few science loving kiddos- one of which will be ready for Biology soon.  So yes, the search is on!


Enter Friendly Biology!  I have been keeping my eye on this program authored by Joey and Lisa Hajda for a while now.  Husband and wife team, both have extensive degrees, have taught at higher levels, and have homeschooled ten children.  They have a huge fan following and reviews are pretty impressive, so when I had the opportunity to see for myself what the excitement was about, I jumped at the chance!  Reviewing for Timberdoodle Co. is always a privilege and this time was no exception. This is the science listed in Timberdoodle's  9th Grade Curriculum kit.  





Let's talk about the program components!

First up- the text book. This hefty 457 page softbound book covers 28 chapters from Biology basics to Genetics and Animal Kingdoms.  Each chapter has key words and phrases in bold type and main ideas highlighted in yellow boxes throughout the text.  Full color pictures abound.  The chapters end with a quick review of the main points and then a lab activity is presented.  Sample chapters can be found here!

Labs- The labs included are simple yet well tied to the chapter lesson.  Supplies are listed at the beginning, and a complete supply list can be accessed online.  Procedures and any safety measures needed are listed clearly and there is a space to write results in the book if desired.  You can also download lab worksheets from the Friendly Biology website for your student to use. 

Student Workbook- In the consumable student workbook you will find two practice pages for each chapter.  The first is a fill in the blank- multiple choice format.  The second practice page is a word search or crossword puzzle.

  
Lessons Tests and Answer Keys- A multiple choice test is included for each lesson to give to your student.  Included are tests answer keys, as well as the practice pages answer keys.

 My thoughts- 
Though we have not started using this as a curriculum yet, I have spent a lot of time reading it on my own.  I have been in search for a Biology course that is rigorous and yet easy to use, so it is important to me to know what I am getting into before I start it.  In the past I have found science curriculum that either water things down too much or are so high and lofty that only a trained science teacher could understand it.  Yes, some of the concepts in Friendly Biology are pretty deep (enzymes and genetics, anyone?), but they are clearly explained and I believe student friendly.  While it is always my goal to work through subjects with my children, I do believe that my son could handle this course on his own with little extra help.

I love that there are experiments included for each chapter but do not require extensive and expensive lab equipment.  As Joey Hejda explains, often times to see what you really need to see via a microscope you would have to have one that costs hundreds of dollars.  Instead, they provide true life pictures that more clearly show anything you would see on your own.  One of the neat aspects of Friendly Biology is that you can purchase a video package that has live teaching for each chapter.  This is a perfect addition for those of us who have more visual or auditory learners!  A few examples are available for you to preview on the Friendly Biology website. 

I appreciate the practice pages are concise and not a bunch of busy work. The tests and answer keys are thorough and easy to use and an integral part of the program.  And one of the best parts- the customer service!  I have not used it first hand, YET, I hear over and over again what a joy the Hajda's are to work with, and they can even be reached by phone.  Fellow homeschool moms will join me in a hallelujah chorus, I am sure! Let's face it, sometimes you just need to have a student's question be answered by a professional.

Bottom line, I have found our new Biology and am eager to use it, possibly as early as next August!  After careful consideration , I am confident Friendly Biology will prepare my son for higher level sciences while allowing me to maintain my sanity!  It's a win- win for all!

The Hajdas have also authored Friendly Chemistry and Friendly Anatomy.

Blessings,

 

The Kids In Our Life

Most of you know we have four kiddos.  Some of you even know said kids.  But some of you are newer here so I thought this would be a good time to reintroduce them and catch you up to some changes.  Plus, my fellow Timberdoodle Blogger Team members are all talking about their kids this week, so hey, I am joining the fun!

Our oldest is 25.  You may know her as the seamstress and quilt maker.  For over 6 or so years, she has run Ashton's Attic, making homemade t-shirt quilts.  Her father and I begged her to do one last move with us to Arizona and as it turns out, she has settled in nicely.  Loves our church, loves the warmer weather, and has a new job she adores.  Get this- working in the finance and mortgage world, of all things.  This is the same girls who used to cry whenever we did math.  Yep, the irony cracks me up.  But for some reason, Stewardship took a chance on her, and she loves what she does.

Our next daughter is 21 and recently graduated with a Musical Theater degree.  We thought she was headed to Disney when she got offered a job as...wait for it, A QUEEN, for the newly opened Medieval Times in Scottsdale, AZ.  Yep, went from the princess we always knew she was to Queen in one audition. She, too, works with an amazing group of people she adores and comes home from work daily singing, "I love my job!"

Our oldest son is a senior in high school and will soon be 18!  Where has time gone?  He is pretty much finished with high school and is dual-crediting college colleges at lightning speed.  Next fall he will be pursuing a Gunsmithing degree.  For those who know and love him, you know that knives and guns are his passion and we are excited to see where this opportunity leads him.  Turns out, we may be following HIM for a change to his new location.  (more of that to come as some point!)

And our youngest!  He is 12 and ready to rock the world!  He is still swimming and recently played flag football on a homeschool team.  They won all but one game, so suffice to say he was thrilled.  We are currently homeschooling in 7th grade and history is still his favorite subject!  He keeps me busy which is good since I don't see the older three as much these days!

As our life slowly transitions, I find myself contemplating shutting down the blog at times.  You may have noticed it's been a bit quiet around here.  BUT- there are some exciting changes coming in our lives and if nothing else, at least my family will be entertained! ;)  I also have a few fun ideas brewing- we will see if I can get myself going!

Thanks for visiting us in our little neck of the woods!

Blessings!

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