Technology Tuesday #2 ~ K5Learning Review

Posted on 15/04/2014 by Momma Jo

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I would like to invite you all to link up your technology related posts. Be it games, blogging advice/resources, technology based learning or reviews, etc. The only requirements are that the post focuses on technology and is family friendly.

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We were given the opportunity to review the K5Learning online curriculum and Fifi has really taken to it. She does half an hour to 45 minutes every morning while Koko does his reading and writing lessons. I love that she can work on her own, and even log on without needing much help, giving me time to work with one of the other kidlets. Fifi has learned so much over the 6 weeks we have been reviewing this curriculum. Her maths has improved by leaps and bounds and so has her reading comprehension.

Costs involved?

Its quite expensive, but well worth it.

Monthly Subscription:

First child = $25
Additional children = $15< Annual Subscription
First child = $199
Additional children = $129

What is included in the deal?
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Other than the interactive lessons which the children can complete without assistance, the following is included: Parents can review their child’s progress with the report function.

It gives an overview of how the child is progressing
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There is also the option to get a more details report
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There are free worksheets available for each grade and subject
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This is a program I am seriously considering for our next school year.

What is K5?

K5 Learning is an online after-school study program for kids in kindergarten to grade 5. We build reading, math and study skills to last a lifetime. K5 includes 4 reading and math programs

k5 1

K5 Reading helps kids become strong readers and develop a love of reading. This award-winning program covers phonemic awareness, phonics, sight words, vocabulary and reading comprehension.

k5 2 K5 Spelling is an advanced vocabulary program which improves language skills one word at a time. We feature adaptive instruction, automatic word generation, an optimized visual interface, and a 150,000+ word database.

k5 3

K5 Math is an award-winning program which builds self confidence and a deep understanding of math concepts. K5 Math covers numbers and operations, geometry, measurement (including time and money), algebraic thinking and data analysis.

k5 4 K5 Math Facts uses adaptive technology to help kids develop instant recall of basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts. Progress on each and every math fact is monitored until mastery is obtained. technologytuesdayfeatured

Did you know that when you produce a PDF and distribute it that you are liable for its use? Wait, did I just say that if you spend all your hard work and effort creating a printable, offer it for FREE, distribute and not receive a penny for it (assuming that you do not have ads on your site, which would mean you are using the printable as advertising), that you could be then sued and held liable for someone else’s losses? Click on the image to read more

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Review Announcement ~ Time4Learning

Posted on 14/03/2014 by Momma Jo

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I’ve been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a homeschool curriculum, for afterschool enrichment and for summer skill sharpening. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.

Review Announcement ~ K5 Learning

Posted on 20/02/2014 by Momma Jo

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K5 Learning has an online reading and math program for kindergarten to grade 5 students. I’ve been given a 6 week free trial to test and write a review of their program.

If you are a blogger, you may want to check out their open invitation to write an online learning review of their program.

Review & Giveaway (closed) ~ Faux Paw by Julia Dweck

Posted on 04/11/2013 by Momma Jo

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Click on the image to purchase this book

Waldon Bear is a little boy who wants to be a bear.
“That’s impossible,” says his teacher, Mrs. Hunter. “Human children grow up to be human adults, not animals!” But Waldon refuses to listen. Can Waldon make it as a bear in school?
Will Waldon convince the other children and Mrs. Hunter that he’s truly meant to be a bear? This humorous look at childhood will charm parents and delight young readers. At its heart, this story carries an inspirational message to believe in yourself and your dreams and for parents to believe in their children, too. And for those who can bearly wait to learn more about bears, the book ends with Mrs. Dweck’s fun facts about bears from around the world.

Another fantastic book by Julia Dweck, with adorable illustrations by Walter Carzon.

I just love this book, it covers fascinating facts about bears in a fun little story about Walden who learns all about bears and teaching his teacher an important lesson. There is fun facts page at the end of the story with a little game too!

We’ll be using this book for story time when Fifi learns about the letter B!

Who is Julia Dweck?
Julia writes children’s stories for digital and traditional publication. Her stories span the spectrum of humor, fantasy, and edutainment in rhyme and in prose. Check out her newest eBook, “Blucy,” a colorful rhyming romp illustrated by Erika LeBarre. Fun cat facts and activities are also included in this true-blue adventure.

Julia’s background in elementary education affords her the opportunity to be in touch with what children want to read and what makes them giggle. She’s collaborated with leading artists in the world of children’s literature to produce over 20 Amazon eBooks. Her titles have garnered placement on Amazon’s bestsellers in children’s color picture books multiple times with two #1 bestsellers: PIE-RITS and Zombie-Kids. These titles have been chosen by Amazon Editors for the prestigious “Kindle Daily Deal.” Many of Julia’s titles have earned placement on Amazon’s top ranked lists based on customer review. In her spare time, Julia is a designer of educational adjuncts for children’s literature, and has worked with such notable publishing houses as Penguin Young Readers. She presented at the 2011 National Center for Family Literacy for her creative use of technology in the classroom.

Who is Walter Carzon?
Walter has always been a dreamer and enjoyed making up stories and illustrating them. When he was a little boy, he read bedtime stories with enchanting illustrations that made his imagination soar. Closing his eyes, he could see a universe of characters, living inside amazing worlds. He knew that he wanted to draw them one day, and that’s how he began. At first, his drawings were gifts for family and friends, but eventually they reached a wider audience of children. He loved illustrating Faux Paw, because it is a beautiful story with a great message. His wish is that every child in the world could become what he or she feels inside his or her heart.

Julia has kindly offered 2 copies of “Faux Paw” for our second giveaway!!! The giveaway closes at Midnight on Thursday 14 November!

Click here to enter the giveaway

Curriculum Review ~ Reading the Easy Way 1st Grade by 123 Homeschool for Me

Posted on 31/07/2013 by Momma Jo

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This curriculum comes a variety of fun activities to engage the child during reading lessons. I love that Koko doesn’t even realise that he is learning while having fun. The download consists of 13 files that covers 8 weeks worth of work.

Its a perfect add on to any reading curriculum and can be used as a revision aid (which is what we used it for). Each week has its own reader and a specific lesson plan (all inclusive in the purchase). I love that its laid out for me so that I don’t have to spend too much time each week in prep. Prep is a once off occurrence with printing, laminating, cutting and gluing which took me 1 full day (with allot of interruptions, LOL). I love that it comes with a Certificate of Completion which is presented to the child. Koko is looking forward to this, we are currently working on week 5.

The only con I can see in this curriculum is that you are required to purchase picture dice, for the Roll & Read Game, and alphabet stamps, for the Trace! Read! Stamp! worksheets, neither of which we have. However, both products are a great addition to the school room and the education experience.

I like this curriculum and I think we are going to add it to our workload for the girls once they reach grade 1, to be used in conjunction with their Grade 1 Curriculum.

Target Group: 5-7 year olds

What’s Included:
8 Week Lesson Plan (little prep with clearly labelled sheets!)
Roll & Read Game / Flashcards
Trace! Read! Stamp! – 1st grade worksheets
Sight Word Colouring – 1st grade worksheets
Word Search – 1st grade worksheets
Trade’m Cars – first grade reading game
Chugga Chugga Sentences – building sentences game
Dino Feet – first grade reading
Safari Train Words – Game
Sight Word Bingo (2 versions) – Game
8 [1st Grade] Readers – first grade reading