TOS Crew: ALEKS

We were pretty excited to hear that we would be reviewing the ALEKS online math program for the crew. I have always thought once math got a bit to hard for my brain to handle we would end up with an online program, so I was glad to be giving that a whirl.

ALEKS, which is short for Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces, has courses for grades 3-12.  I decided to have the Lil' Chef use the LV 4 Mathmatics with Quicktables with this program instead of her regular workbook.  Let me tell ya, she LOVES it!  The Lil' Chef really likes computer games so this was right up her alley, I think it also breaks the monotony from workbooks.
 

I have already concluded that she likes, and does best with a spiral method of learning math.  She does not do well with working on the same thing day after day.  The way that the ALEKS program works is, at first the student takes an assessment test.  ALEKS then figures out what the student knows and doesn't know. The areas in math that the child has not yet mastered are the areas in which ALEKS focuses on.  The program automatically knows what the student is ready to learn. 

Once you have taken your assessment test and start the program, ALEKS gives the child a pie chart which tells them what they need to be working on and how much of that particular area they have already mastered or completed.  The Lil' Chef enjoyed being able to choose an area of math to work on each day.   As she worked on each topic if she needed help on a problem there was an explain button as well as a more practice button.  ALEKS is very much geared toward the independent student. 

This the student pie chart.  The dark part of the pie shows what the student knows

and the lighter part shows what they need to work on.

Facts are, math is not my strongest subject so I really liked not having to struggle through math with her, I knew that it was all taken care of once she had done ALEKS.  She was able to work with in her grade level as well as practice her multiplication tables by using the Quicktables feature and I knew that ALEKS was correcting and keeping track of what she knew and what she still needed to learn.   I really appreciated the weekly progress reports that I received right in my email box, a wonderful thing to print out and stick in our math folder.  

From the master account I can get view student reports, assign quizzes and make course changes if necessary.

We have really enjoyed the opportunity to review for ALEKS and I would highly consider doing this next year, at least for the Lil' Chef, but it is a little expensive for us to spend on one subject for one child.  For one student the cost is $19.95 per month, $99.95 for 6 months or $179.95 for 12 months and they do offer family discounts if you enroll multiple children.   I do recommend ALEKS and feel that it is a great math program.  The conveniences that the program offers may well be worth the extra money, if a family can afford the expense. 

Here is a VIDEO TOUR that shows you what ALEKS is all about.  If you think that ALEKS would be a good fit for your family but your just not sure, you can TRY ALEKS for FREE!   The trial offer lasts for 30 days, which is a good amount of time to see what you think! 



We were provided with free access to the ALEKS program for review purposes only.  We were not paid in any way for this review and the opinions stated here are my own. 

Handmade Holidays #3 - Where's Bugger WINNER

So sorry that I didn't post this yesterday, we had quite a busy weekend. 

Congrats to comment #9

Shanna said...                                 9
Follow you with GFC

Handmade Holidays #2 - Fabric 123 Magnets WINNER!

Congrats to comment #1....

6intow said...                                                        1
Too cute not to enter! Thanks for the chance to win!


~Erin

TOS Crew: Good Morning, God

We received the book, Good Morning, God to review for the TOS Crew.  The book was written by Davis Carman and is published by Apologia Press. 

The book is based on Deuteromomy 6:6-7 which says,
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

The story is about a little boy, who each day tells God, Good Morning and how he worships him.  He tells God I worship you with all of my being, with all of my heart, or with all of my mind, etc.  The book takes you from Sunday to Sunday and each day the little boy also tells how his Mom and Dad teach him, like when he is sitting, standing, at church etc.  Each night the little boy also acknowledges the Lord by praying to Him, he thanks him for his brothers and sister, he tells Him that he hopes He comes back soon and thanks him for making him alive.  This is a really cute little story, my children have really enjoyed listening to it. 

At the back of the book there are questions, activites and additional scriptures that go along with each day, Monday thru Friday.  Some of the questions include:

• What are some ways that you can worship God?
• What is the church?
• Imagine how things will be "new" in heaven.
• Name some animals God created that jump.
• Why did Jesus die to save you?

Here are some things that I liked about the book:

• I liked that the book was geared toward a wide range of children, 1-8 year olds. 
• The illustrations are fabulous.  I would love to see if there are other books that are illustrated by the same person, Alice Ratterree.
• I liked the content of the book and how it encouraged the children to worship God with all of their heart, mind, body, soul, etc.
• The questions in the back of the book really open the door for some great discussion. 
• I really liked how they had accompanying scripture in the back for further discussion.
• I LOVED that the family in the book are HOMESCHOOLERS!  I believe my kids really liked reading about other homeschoolers.

You can purchase you own copy directly from Apologia Press for $14.00.  They also offer a coloring book that goes along with the book for $4.00.

The coloring book

This product was given to us free of charge from Apologia Press for review purposes only and the opinions expressed here are my own.

Handmade Holidays #4 - Busy Bible

The fourth gift idea that I would like to share with you all is the Busy Bible.  My children, especially the boys, L O V E it! 

The Busy bible is a beautifully, handmade cloth interactive bible story book.  I do not think that I can even come up with the proper words to describe the quality of this book.  It is SOOO- nicely made, I just could not believe that it was handmade.  I think the website describes it best when they say that it is of heirloom quality. 

Each page of the Busy Bible has something FUN and QUIET for the children to do.  This is a perfect thing for a toddler to sit and do, Little Bits likes to play with it during his quiet/nap time.  Many times Alpha Boy has taken it to church and goes thru it quietly during the service.  Be it at church, at home, or in the car, this is sure to entertain your little ones.  Since it comes with it's own carrying case, it would even be a great thing to take for the kids to do at the doctor's office.

The Busy Bible contains 12 pages full of activities that help reinforce Old and New Testament Bible stories:

• Creation Globe- Once you open the Busy Bible you will find a colorful Earth with 6 flaps that you can open to see all of the things that the Lord has created, this was taken from Genesis chapter 1.
• Noah & The Ark - Next you have an ark with 3 animal pairs that your child can place inside the ark, as told in Genesis chapters 6 and 7.
• The Pillar of Salt - In Genesis 19:24-26 Lot, his wife and two daughters are leaving leaving Sodom and Gomorrah.  Even though they are told not to look back, Lot's wife does and God turns her into a pillar of salt.  Here, the wife can be taken out and turned around, this turns her into a pillar of salt.
• Joseph's Coat of Many Colors - In Genesis chapter 37, Jacob shows his love and favoritism towards Joesph by giving him a beautiful coat of many colors.  Here Joseph has a colorful coat that the children can button on him or button on the page right next to him.
• Baby Moses in the Bulrushes - This page has a baby Moses that can be put in or taken out of his basket taht is hiding behind tall grasses.  We were actually reading about Moses this past week and when I read this portion of scripture, Alpha Boy jumped up from the table and ran and got his Busy Bible to show me Moses in the basket.  So they definitely do make the connection.
• Ruth Gathering Grain - As in Ruth chapter 2, Ruth is gathering grain in the fields.  There are 4 bundles of grain (yarn) that can be picked from the field and tucked into her basket.  My kids really like this one!
• King Solomon's Treasures - The page has King Solomon and some his fine treasures.  There is a treasure chest with paper money and jewels that can be taken out and played with.  Another favorite page of my kids.
• Jonah and the Great Fish - From Jonah chapter 1, this page is a BIG FISH with a super cute zipper mouth.  Little Bits loves to zip and unzip and put Jonah inside the BIG FISH!
• The Birth of Jesus - The verse listed on this page is Luke 2:1-7, there is also a manger scenee with Joseph, Mary, Jesus, the 3 Wise men and animals.  The figures can be put on the front of the manger or tucked inside for easy storage when not being played with.
• Peter Fishing - This page features Peter  fishing from his boat, he has his net thrown into the water.  There are 5 fish that you can place in the net or snap them onto the page.  The is probably Little Bit's FAVORITE page to do.  He loves the little fish and snapping and unsnapping them.  The scripture that this was taken from is Mathew 4:18-20.
• The Good Samaritan -From Luke 10:30-34, there is an injured man, the Good Samaritan, a donkey and lots of band aids!  Yes, fabric band aids!  They are totally adorable!  Here you can be the Good Samaritan and put your band aids on the man's boo-boos.  All the kids like this one!
• Dorcas Make a garment - As in Acts 9:39 we have Dorcas.  She has made a beautiful dress, and we get to lace and tie it for her. 
• The back of the book has a picture of 3 crosses on Calvary.

They love the fish!

The Busy Bible is made partly from fabric and partly from felt.  I love how the book is binded together with a red ribbon, it is very cute.  

This book is full of detail and is very worth the $42.95 price.  The Busy Bible is made for children ages 3 and up. 

The order you own Busy Bible please call Judy directly at 407-671-7972 and she will give you a $5.00 discount if you mention my review!  These would make a fabulous gift for the holidays.

Another one playing with the fish. 

This product was given to us for review purposes.  The opinions expressed here are my own and I was not paid in any way to sway my opinions.