CREW REVIEW- TouchMath

 Look what came to our door a few weeks ago!  What child would not be excited to start a new program, even if it is math, when that kind of big box shows up at their door step?!  It was like Christmas around here!  Yes, TouchMath is here and the fun has begun.  Really!  For my hands-on five year old, this program has been perfect.

TouchMath is intended for ages PreK through 2nd grade, but can also be used for older students struggling with lower level concepts or those with learning disabilities.  Because of the multisensory approach, it is perfect for all learning types, teaching the Common Core State Standards for each grade.  By assigning counting points, or "touch points" to each number, children learn that numbers actually represent a quantity of something.

 

 Let me start at the beginning and tell you what arrived and then what we have been doing.  We were chosen to review the First Grade program which include four units that were sent straight to our email for us to download.  Easy to do, but let me forewarn you, they are BIG files and took a little patience.  The first unit alone, complete with teacher instructions and children's worksheets was over 190 pages!  After reading several pages on the how-to's and why, you are ready to begin the program.

Then the box arrived.  In it- large foam touch point numbers and unit trays to hold the touch points, CD's for added reinforcement for the lesson, number cards and 12 sets of flip cards.  All of these manipulatives are considered "extras" for the program, but I will tell you ahead of time, we loved having them.  If your child is not a hands-on learner, they are probably not as necessary, but for us, they really completed the program.  I have also read several testimonies of parents of special needs children that said the manipulatives made all the difference in the world for their children.

CJ punching out the foam numbers.

Each day, guided by a scripted teacher's page, I would teach or review a concept and then do the associated workbook pages that we had printed off.  Ideas for using the extra manipulatives are not introduced in earlier lessons, but we did make a habit of putting the "touch points" on the foam numbers each day to get us started.


 

 

Once we got to the addition and subtraction parts of the lessons, we used those same foam numbers to work out problems.

 

 

 

 

What we liked about this product:

*The teacher's guide is scripted.  I know this is often not needed for veteran homeschooling parents, but since many of the TouchMath concepts are taught slightly different than the way I was taught, I really found this to be helpful!

*The software was AMAZING!  Really.  I must say that I originally popped this CD in as an "extra".  It however, became our favorite part of the program and CJ's reward for a day well done.  The host- UNO Bear, is a delightful character that reviews concepts you have been teaching while traveling around the USA, state by state.  Not only did CJ like anticipating which state was going to be next, but he learned a little History and Geography along the way.  If I had to choose one "extra" to buy with this curriculum, this would be the one!

*Keep in mind that each of the units are broken down into modules, each focusing on a new skill set.  When ordering curriculum, you can see see where your child is and then order only that unit if you need to.  CJ could have started with the third unit, however, I did enjoy beginning at Unit One because I wanted to make sure he had a strong foundation in how this program taught things.  Some people have a hard time starting in the middle...I am one of those people!  ;)  We just breezed through the beginning until we got to new material.

 

Math can be taught so many ways, and I know that there are many good products out there.  I encourage you to take a look at this program...it makes learning fun AND it may very well be a good fit for your child!

 

Pricing-

TouchMath First Grade Homeschool -All four Units $199.95, or $59.95 per unit
Flip Cards- $19.00 per set
TouchNumerals with Base 10- $99.00
TouchMath Tutor First Grade Software- $99.00
Additional Manipulatives are also available!



  Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.    

HUGE Giveaway From a Friend!

What homeschooling mom does not like free things?  Especially free school-related things?!

I think March is the perfect time to bless one of you with some fun prizes.  $390 worth of prizes actually!  Just in time for the mid-year slump blahs (yes, I made that term up)- something to put a smile on your face.

Amy, over at Bow of Bronze, has put together a prize package that is sure to bring a stop to those blahs and put a smile on your face too!  She has teamed up with four amazing companies for this  March Madness Homeschool Giveaway.




 

The first is from a company I love!
From Raising Real Men ($125 value), several books and audio sets and even a Rubber band gun!

From Notebooking Pages,a one-year membership to Ultimate Homeschool Expo from Media Angels ($89.95).  I have not yet tried this site yet, but Amy did a great review of them on her blog!  This is next on my want list!

A one-year membership to Ultimate Homeschool Expo from Media Angels ($89.95).  This site carries online expos of every imaginable subject for homeschoolers.  I am impressed with their line up pf speakers!  If you can't get to a convention this year, you need this!

And a one year Super Membership from Hands of a Child ($75).  This site is brimming with lapbooks and the Super Member gets two a month!  A fun way to add a little excitement to your school day.







So ready to win?  Just click on the Rafflecopter below and get started!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CREW REVIEW- ARTistic Pursuits

ARTistic Pursuits is an everyday name amongst most homeschoolers.  I know why!  Their simple, but effective approach to teaching art makes it approachable to the average homeschool mom or dad. 

Let's face it, art intimidates a lot of people.  Art intimidates me!  And therefore, it is often conveniently by-passed in this family's day.  That is why I was so excited to have the opportunity to review the newest and expanded 3rd edition of ARTistic Pursuits, Elementary 4-5 Book 1, The Elements of Art and Composition.  Though written for 4th and 5th graders, we were able to use it for the 5 year old and 9th grader as well, a huge plus in my book.


Covering 16 Units, this book gives a good overview of not only the how to's of specific art concepts, but also exposes students to Master Works in American art.  Lessons include:
Space
Line and Shape
Texture
Form
Form Using Value
Local Value
Contrast
The Shapes of Natural Forms
Edges
Balance
Rhythm
Overlap
Depth
Proportion, the Face
Movement

                                                           

Each unit is divided into four lessons, making it easy to break into a four day schedule.  Day one introduces the topic and encourages the student to explore that area in their own world.  The second lesson focuses on American Art appreciation, introducing a selected art piece and artist and includes details about the time period.  The third  lesson focuses on technique, the real "how to's" and the last lesson is the final project day.  The schedule can be modified to fit each family's needs: if you do art only twice a week this book will take a year to complete.

How this worked for us:
Again, the target age for this particular book is fourth and fifth grade, but we invited the siblings to join in.  Four days a week we gathered at the kitchen table to read the lesson together and then proceeded with the assigned art project for that lesson.  My favorite part became at the end of the lesson when I would have each child show what they drew and then tell us about their picture. I loved doing this as a family, but want to note that a child in 4th or 5th grade could very easily read the lessons independently if you so chose. Obviously the concepts were above the head of the 5 year old, but perfect for the intended student.

Drawing Legos- what else?!

One of the things that worked out perfectly for us is the fact that my high school freshman is currently doing an separate art appreciation class.  Several times the subject of the week in ARTistic Pursuits was an artist she had read about.  It was fun for her to be able to then put her reading knowledge to the test with actual drawing practice using the same concepts used by the artist.  I am a firm believer that anytime you can add layers to teaching-the reading and the doing-true learning takes place.  Plus, in this case, it is just more fun!

Project from Unit two


What we loved about this program:

It is user friendly! Each lesson is clearly marked and self explanatory.

It can be used for multiple ages and levels. 

It includes Art Appreciation, while showing Master Works in American Art. 

Spiral bound, quality paper and simply beautiful! Hey, it's the little details that make a difference!

Reasonably priced.

Supply lists are given.  Most supplies can be easily found at your local stores if you decide to not buy the complete art kits from ARTistic Pursuits.

Our Bottom line-
We really are enjoying this program and will continue to use it to completion.  I am now also planning to order a new level each year to use with the kids, as I have seen that when the art is planned out for me, I am more likely to insert it into my day.  I would much rather have a well laid out, easy to follow curriculum than to be trying to plan random art activities, and boring ones at that, into my childrens' day.  Call me lazy...or just call me smart!  Either way, I highly recommend ARTistic Pursuits!

Pricing-

Elementary 4-5 Book 1, The Elements of Art and Composition. $47.94

Complete Supply Kit $45.00

CREW members reviewed a variety of levels of this program.  Click on the banner below to read more reviews!

  Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

Fun Fridays- more Natural Cleaners

 

I do not like to mop.  There, I said it.  I used to think hardwood floors were amazing.  Now that I have them,  they are not so amazing.  They have to be cleaned.  Often.  And mopping hurts my back. Yes, I know the carpets are just as dirty, but at least I can't see that.  But, with hardwood floors, everything shows.

This is one area I have tried several different combinations of cleaners.  One left the floor sticky.  Trashed that.  One made the floor look like it had a film over it.  Trashed that.  The one I like the most is simple.  And it works.  What more could you ask for?

Floor Cleaner
4 tsp. Castile soap
10 drops of lemon essential oil
1 gallon hot water

That's it.  Simple!  I mixed it up and keep it in a container under my sink.
Now, if I could just find someone to mop the floor for me!

Blessings,



This post is linked up to Amy, over at Raising Arrows!

Project Organize- Under the sink and in the cabinets and a word about Stuffed Animals

This week is an easy one for me!  I love to open cabinets and see nothing!  Or at least very close to it, so this is one area that containers, whether plastic or even baskets, are my best friend.  I tend to be a little AR about those areas, but even the best of us let things slide a little.  So here is a peek at a few of those areas!
Under our kitchen sink had gotten a little out of hand....

 

So I fixed it!  It still seems like a lot to me, but that area houses our cleaning cloths as well as our cleaners.  The bins hold batteries and light bulbs.  I was tired of having to reach high up for them in the laundry room, so this seemed like a better place.

 

Here's a view of the master bath areas...

 

Under my sink.  The yellow basket holds cleaning supplies for upstairs,  Don't let those familiar bottles fool 'ya, they are being recycled!  ;)

 

 

Under hubby's sink...

 

 Linen Closet.  Holds our towels and all medicines in the blue topped container.  Also have bins for stockpiled soaps, shampoos, toilet paper, etc.

 

 

And a random thought...my boys own too many stuffed animals.  Despite the fact that we have only allowed them one or two in the past few years, they still have too many.  In a recent discussion with a friend, she said they had managed to get theirs down to five per child.  FIVE!  (and not to be sexist, but that was for a family of girls!)  I was inspired.  One boy at a time, we took all the stuffed animals and laid them out.  That is the easy part.  Now choose your favorite five.  Pretty easy.  Now choose five you would like for someone else to enjoy.  Not so easy.  We had to work through this several times, and never did narrow the field to just five, but we did cut back a lot.  Maybe next time we get it cut down to five- you never know!

Easy storage- pop up clothes hampers!

 

 Hopefully blessed someone else with a few loved stuffed animals.  They are hiding under the other stuff in this picture...you know, no reason to flaunt the fact that they are on the way out!

 

What are YOU cleaning out this week?

Blessings,