I have been using Math Mammoth for over a year now and have to tell you that this is one of the best math programs. It’s well written and easy to understand. I started using Math Mammoth after removing my daughters from cyberschool. Math is a logical and systematic subject and Math Mammoth is structured to highlight the logic and make math less of a mystery and more of a science.
I have used and reviewed Math Mammoth Blue Series 1-4. The simple format, step by step instructions and explanations make this series a great way to give children a firm foundation for higher mathematics. Each book in the series reinforces earlier lessons allowing the children to progress at their own rate and without a lot of parental intervention. The series is that good.
Unlike most math curriculum books used in school settings, Maria Miller’s Math Mammoth is so smooth that my six year old daughter is finishing up her second grade work and by the summer will be doing multiplication. And aside from a brief explanation on each new chapter and help reading the word problems, she’s doing it all on her own.
My ten year old, after her cyber-schooling experience, has less confidence in her math abilities finds the course to be challenging at times, but likes it much better than the school math books she’s used in the past. For one thing the lack of distracting pictures and doodads is very helpful for her. This is a great series for children who may have auditory or other learning differences. Standard textbooks are so busy being “bright and colorful” that the actual skill set that the child is supposed to learn can get lost.
Speaking of skill sets, Math Mammoth gives the student ample opportunity to practice the newest skill being taught. On average I’d say that each chapter has at least fifty problems to work on, which I think is great. The author has arranged these practice problems to follow logical lines and then examines the patterns and correlations between operations. I’m sure you can tell that I’m very excited and pleased with this program.
In addition to being a great teaching aide, the Math Mammoth series is very affordable. You can purchase the ebooks section by section (which is good if you’re trying to strengthen target areas) as well as in a complete series. There are four series, Light Blue, Golden, Green and Blue to choose from and the prices range from $40 to $158 for the whole kit and kaboodle. If you want to deal with individual subjects you can purchase these for prices starting at $2.50. When you visit the website you’ll see a whole slew of freebies, as well as a subscription form for an encouraging math word in Maria Miller’s virtual math course for parents.
The Family Mint is an excellent way to train children in the art of financial planning. It’s also a good way to get Mommy to think about balancing her own checkbook once in a while too.
The premise of the Family Mint is that the parents are the bankers and the children are our customers. Each child gets their own account. As the banker whenever you give your child their allowance you would deposit the sum into each child’s account. As the banker you can designate what each percentage of the money goes towards long-range saving. The children are able to setup their own financial goals and timetables. When they wish to withdraw money from the account, as the parent you have the option of approving each request or trusting them to do the right thing. As the banker, parents can also add interest to their children’s account if they choose or do a dollar matching program if you like.
My family has been using the five envelope system – Long-Term Savings, Learning, Charity, Fun, Planning, so that’s how each of the girl’s have set up their account at the Family Mint. The money that is left in the General Savings category is their spending money for the month. I still have the children put their money into the five envelopes, but now they also double-check themselves online. When they look at their accounts they have a graph that shows them how close they are to their monetary goals. In the spirit of this review, we also setup a savings account in our local bank so that they can get used to the whole banking experience.
There are many graphics that the children can apply to their goals and if they like they can even upload their own pictures. We’re planning on going on vacation in September so the girls had to decide how much spending money they want and then allocate the amount of money they need to save in order to reach their goal. This exercise has also been good for me as well — bookkeeping isn’t one of my favorite things to do.
Family Mint has a very nice interface and is relatively easy to use. I had a few minor mysteries, but the customer support at Family Mint was very helpful and quick to answer my questions. This is a free service to families and uses advertising to support its services. Although it may seem strange to have advertisements around when you’re teaching your children how to save money, it actually does serve a purpose in my mind. We are constantly bombarded with advertising, so they need to learn that they don’t need to buy everything that they see.
In this age of typing software programs I was quite curious how effective an e-book on typing would be. I learned how to type using a typing course book, but that was back in the dark ages of typewriters. Could it really be an effective way to teach kids how to type on a computer? And of course the answer is “yes.” It may not be as exciting as the video typing games for kids, but it does get the job done and done well.
While electronic typing programs have more flash, music and animation, Keyboarding for the Christian School does make the children focus on what’s right in front of them. There’s nothing to distract their minds from the task at hand because they’re not anticipating dancing bears or exploding asteroids to appear after the complete their exercises. For my children, at least, this is a big plus. However, it did make getting them to practice a bit harder because they found that portion “boring.”
While the keyboarding instruction at the beginning of the manual was pretty standard, what really impressed me was the way that the author introduced the word processing components to the lessons. As a virtual assistant I am very proficient with many programs, but was a little at a loss of the best way to teach the girls. After working with a product for so long I sometimes find it difficult to explain the basics in an easily digestible manner. But this book really does a great job.
This course covers everything from the basic keyboarding positions to how to create MLA and APA reports, proofreading marks and their usage, timed writings, personal letters and envelopes as well as how to create proper cover pages, works cited and bibliographies. These are skills that are needed in the academic and business world. My husband and I cringe before poorly formatted word processing documents, so we were quite pleased to see emphasis put on properly constructing a document by using tabs and tables effectively.
This is an excellent introduction to the world of keyboarding and it’s practical applications. However, secular homeschoolers may have some difficulty with the practice material since, with the exception of the business letter section, sample text is taken from the Bible. Also, the MLA and APA reports are Christian viewpoint essays.
The Keyboarding for the Christian Homeschool is available for immediate download for only $15.95. There are free samples available on the parent site which is www.ChristianKeyboarding.com.
If you’re looking for homeschool encouragement, resources, and fun, check out all that is going on at The Old Schoolhouse!
Right now March Madness and Win Big are going on in the Schoolhouse Store. During March Madness, over 240 items are 10 to 40 percent off!
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only), Scripture Sleuth literature series, guitar lessons on CD, and more! Hurry, they are just past customer #137,818.
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You need to drop by your local Dollar Homeschool store and pick up this handy little CD, Ray’s Arithmetic, that boasts (and delivers) a full mathematics curriculum beginning at the elementary level and finishing up at the college level calculus. This math curriculum is designed so that children can actually teach themselves what they need to know in order to have a well-rounded education. The thing I like most about this curriculum is that it is truly all-inclusive when it comes to mathematical application.
Although my children are using a different math program that is working for them, after reviewing Ray’s Arithmetic I am incorporating the real world application series into what we are currently using. The texts contained on this CD are textbooks that my aunts and uncles used when they were in school in the early 1900s (my dad was 51 when I was born just in case you were wondering). Their knowledge base on all subjects was much stronger than what I received in school, so I am thrilled to be able to share these books with my children. Practical application is missing from many math textbooks (since nowadays school curriculum is more concerned with teaching to the test rather than teaching for life) which could explain why the general math knowledge is so low in this country.
So, I guess Ray’s Arithmetic is not only a great mathematical training course, but a glimpse into the inner workings of the United States during the 1860s to 1915. I love two-for-one deals like this. Some of the subjects that your children will be able to study using Ray’s Arithmetic include:
Complete bookkeeping (that’s the one I’m studying)
Elementary Algebra
Higher Algebra
Practical Arithmetic
Analytic Geometry
Norton’s Elements of Physics
Geometry & Trigonometry
Surveying and Navigation
Schyuler’s Logic
Differential and Integral Calculus
The material contained on this CD is a compilation of 38 text books which includes the teacher’s editions, answer keys, and textbooks. This compilation retails at $59 which is an excellent price for a curriculum that is relevant from elementary to the college years.
Jean Welles’ Worship Guitar Class for Kids is an excellent program for children and adults to learn to play guitar. Being a non-guitar playing person I was surprised by my own ability to follow through and successfully duplicate her fingering. After I gave it a try I introduced the streaming videos to the girls and they are starting to get the hang of how it works. We were so excited about our ability to make a few sounds that we went out to see how much a proper guitar would cost. (For this review I had to borrow a friend’s guitar.)
Although the title of this course is “Worship Guitar” secular homeschooling families should not feel that by purchasing this product that they are subjecting their children to any form of indoctrination. The lessons start off with a quick prayer and the songs are dedicated to God and the values that everyone needs to be successful in life. People from all faiths should be comfortable with the songs and the spirit in which they were created.
One thing that my girls really enjoyed was the feeling that they were in a personal lesson with Ms. Welles. Ms. Welles has a cat that is present during her instruction and for my cat loving girls this was a giant plus. I think that showing parts of the live lesson with the adorable little girl was also a brilliant touch because it gives the little ones confidence seeing another student receiving corrections and praise for a job well done. As a parent I felt that she had a genuine love of her students and of God. This quiet and loving confidence made the lessons special and enjoyable (for us at least) than many that we have experienced with music teachers that we’ve encountered in real life.
The Worship Guitar Class for Kids is also incredibly affordable for any family. You can get the nine streaming video lessons for $28. If you would like to have the children practice without tying up the computer, you can also request the lessons on DVD for an additional $5 for a total of $33. The course covers:
How to hold down a note to get a clear tone on the guitar.
A couple worship songs with the melody plucked to strengthen their hands.
MathTutor has created one of the most beautiful math programs for young children that I have ever experienced. I find it difficult to describe the visual and auditory beauty that you experience in “Young Minds Number and Counting.” I have a three year old son and although we all found the cover intriguing with the tree frog, Michael hasn’t expressed any real interest in “formal” learning. We don’t have cable (hence we have not television) so he hasn’t been exposed to much Sesame Street and the usual suspects.
But once the video began, he was entranced. I mean, the perpetual motion boy just sat and watched the entire presentation without a word. On the next pass (he insisted on it being played again) he kept jumping up to make sure that we were watching the many animals that were being counted while beautiful classical music played in the background. The music chosen were selections from Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Vivaldi, Brahms, Pachelbel and Chopin. (Sometimes I just put it on to listen to the music!)
This is a basic counting DVD, but because of the extraordinary images and music it is more of a feast of numbers than I would have thought possible. I mean, how interesting can you make counting to 15? If you really want to know you need to watch this video.
The Basic Math Word Problem Tutor
While not as colorful or musically inspired, this eight hour video course is very thorough and an excellent way to explain word problems to your children. The instructor begins at the beginning and builds on each foundation. My oldest daughter has trouble with word problems (as it seems a lot of kids do), but she really enjoyed watching the video and working alongside the instructor. Actually, I was surprised that she wasn’t goofing around while the DVD was playing. Instead she ran upstairs got her notebook and took notes on what the instructor said and did. Her word problem skills still need work, but she seemed to really appreciate the way that the teacher explained things.
I personally found his explanations and illustrations to be quite clear. And he went through the entire strategy for tackling a problem. If there were more than one way to arrive at the correct answer he explained each of them while helping the student to focus on key words that supply the clues to what you’re supposed to accomplish. Overall, I was quite impressed and even re-learned a few things that I had forgotten about. I know that these three DVDs will hold a prominent place in our bag of math tricks.
I just received this notification from Mathletics about registration for Math Day. Registration ends on March 1st, so be sure to hurry over and get signed up. Here are the details:
Over one million participants have registered for World Math Day! Join us in a celebration of numbers as children from across the globe unite in their quest to set a world record in answering mental arithmetic questions. Be a part of this great education event involving over a million students from hundreds of countries, even parents and teachers can participate this year! There is an exciting new format for 2010 with all new levels so make sure you and your child register today and get plenty of practice!
Why should you take part?
• World Math Day is the education event for the world!
• Your child will love it! Be part of setting a world record!
• It will create an amazing buzz around Mathematics in your home.
• Designed for all ages and ability levels.
• Simple to register and participate.
• Great prizes. And it’s absolutely free!!
How will it work?
• Register your child online. Students already subscribed to Mathletics can use their existing usernames and passwords.
• Students take part in real-time mental arithmetic challenges.
• Students play live with other students around the globe.
• In 2009 more than two million students from 204 countries combined to correctly answer 452,681,681 questions. Can we break the record this year?
• All you need is internet access.
• Students can compete at school or at home.
Have you heard the phrase, “I am a man of my word”? Or heard people say, “I give my word …” ? Now, we understand that the giving of one’s word means that you’re making a promise to do something. However, I think that in today’s world the phrase has lost much of it’s original meaning. You know, it’s like saying, “Bless you” when someone sneezes. Most people don’t really mean “May God bless you and protect you ” when they utter those words.
So, what does it mean when you say, “I give you my word”? As I spend more time reading history and the personal writings of people in history this phrase has taken on new meaning for me. When we say, “I give my word” that is more than a half empty promise. Actually it’s more serious than a promise. It is a binding and unbreakable contract between people. When you give your word you are binding yourself morally to a course of action. It is a matter of honor and not convenience.
How far we, as a society, have fallen from that original meaning. As a matter of fact we have even coined phrases that cover the way people treat their spoken word. If someone promises to do something, we’ve become so skeptical of people carrying through that we say things like “talk is cheap” and “put up or shut up.”
And that’s what a promise has become — something of no consequence. Basically, as a society, we are teaching our children that “promises are made to be broken”. Through the media and sometimes our own example we are teaching them that honor is a nice concept, but not practical in today’s world. I mean, “You meant well…” or “You tried…” and that excuses us from any responsibility.
In our training and educating of our children, this matter of “Keeping Your Word” is one of the most important lessons that we can impart. And here’s why:
Morally: People (but especially children since they’re more likely to follow through) need to understand that they have an obligation to someone other than themselves. Being aware of our obligations to others helps the community function more smoothly, generates trust which in turn alleviates a lot of conflicts. How many relationships could be saved if we truly trusted that the other person would keep their word and they knew that we would keep ours?
Intellectually: I was chosen to review a language art curriculum called “The Madsen Method”. This is a neurologically complete program based upon the methods used during Colonial times. It engages and strengthens all four areas (Say, Hear, Do, See) of the brain. Basically this means that when you say something, you hear yourself say it, then you do what you heard yourself say and see your results. Using this method of instruction, the United States colonies were the most literate people in the world. Why? Because their whole brain was fully utilized to learn a skill — they had “backup systems” that strengthened their retention of all lessons learned. And isn’t our goal to create people with thinking ability and life skills?
Physically: Now the importance of this process is that when you give your word, your body and mind are all waiting to accomplish the stated goal or task. But if you balk and do not follow through with your stated intention, you are causing neurological issues within yourself. Imagine how much confusion a person who never follows through on his stated intentions. The stress level must be enormous! We know that stress creates higher blood pressure levels, headaches, irritability, inability to concentrate, etc.? So when we don’t follow through our entire nervous system is affected.
Our bodies are designed to tell the truth, so why don’t we? It’ takes far less energy to tell the truth and follow through than making a myriad of excuses, lies and half-truths (and remembering them!) does. Being a person of your word means displaying moral courage. If someone asks you to do something that you don’t want to do just say so. At times people will be disappointed with your decisions, maybe even angry.
But at the end of the day, even your bitterest enemies will have respect for the fact that you stood your ground. They may never come to like you, but they will always respect you. Keeping our word is the best lesson that we can teach our children if we want them (and us) to have lead happy and (relatively) stress-free lives.
By demonstrating this type of moral courage we will be helping to shape our children (and hopefully others who observe us) to be leaders and not to be afraid to be honest about their thoughts and feelings. This honesty will create strong relationships that will spill over into all aspects of their lives and ultimately lead them to the level of success that they wish to obtain. Isn’t that a goal worth working towards?
That’s right the TOS Crew is looking for a few good families to come aboard and help us on our mission. Are you a homeschooler who loves blogging, writing, tweeting, and Facebooking (is that really a word?) ? Well, if so I’ve got good news for you. Beginning today through March 12, 2010 The Old School House are looking for new crew members to join our ranks and you could be one of us!
I joined the crew this past year and I must say that it has been an adventure for me and my family. Doing the curriculum reviews has actually helped me to identify my children’s strengths and weaknesses and use different tools to help them along their way. I’ve met amazing curriculum advisors who have taken the time to answer my questions and teach me a lot about how to be a more effective teacher to my children.
On a personal note, I’ve made friends with many homeschooling families that I may never have met during the course of a normal cyber-day. Overall, this has been the best experience that I’ve had in a long time. I’m doing the things I love (teaching and writing), exposing my children to different ways of tackling problems and best of all having a lot of fun!
So don’t be shy! The deadline for applying is March 12, 2010. Step right up and see if you have what it takes to begin your maiden voyage with the TOS Crew. You can learn more about the selection process by visiting The Old School House. Jump right in, the water’s fine! I hope to see you next year.
I'm a homeschooling mom with six children: 3 human, 2 feline and 1 canine. I'm also the wife of one very patient husband who seems to like the role of ringmaster to our circus. I am a member of the TOS Crew as well as a virtual assistant who enjoys writing, crafts, music and laughter. I hope you'll visit often.
I have been using Math Mammoth for over a year now and have to tell you that this is one of the best math programs. It’s well written and easy to understand. I started using Math Mammoth after removing my daughters from cyberschool. Math is a logical and systematic subject and Math Mammoth is structured to highlight the logic and make math less of a mystery and more of a science.
The 
In this age of typing software programs I was quite curious how effective an e-book on typing would be. I learned how to type using a typing course book, but that was back in the dark ages of typewriters. Could it really be an effective way to teach kids how to type on a computer? And of course the answer is “yes.” It may not be as exciting as the video typing games for kids, but it does get the job done and done well.
You need to drop by your local 
