Saturday, November 20, 2010

R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey: Pandia Press

Designed for the non-science parent in mind!

I have had the opportunity to review an excellent science curriculum by Pandia Press called R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey (ROS) LIFE.  It is specifically written for the home school or small group setting. 

life_cover What does R.E.A.L. stand for? 

Read, Explore, Absorb, and Learn.   

And your kids will do just that!  Each lesson has hands-on fun and experiments.  We have really enjoyed ROS.

 

Features:  Sample pages here and more below

  1. Used 2 to 3 times a week the curriculum is a complete, rigorous, vocabulary rich life science that needs no supplement for the year.
  2. Designed for the non-science parent who can use household items for the labs
  3. ROS is about experimentation and hands-on fun
  4. Each lesson contains a page for your child’s notebook
  5. The lessons are in black and white – no color ink used!
  6. Level one is intended for grades 2nd – 5th (my 5 year old even joins in all the fun)
  7. Story-like format for the lesson and hands-on fun for the labs – believe me you will not regret purchasing this curriculum!

ROS has everything you need to teach:

Story page – Read this page with your child, underline vocabulary words, review, and place it in your child’s science notebook.

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Instructions page – Written for the teacher/parent but the procedure is written as if for the student.  Sample below

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Lab pages – These are from the Skeletal and Circulatory systems

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These lab pages are from the Arachnid and Bird studies.

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The curriculum also has other teacher / parent helps like:

  1. What’s the Big Idea and Small Stuff – the main idea and little details for each lesson depending on the age of your student. This curriculum is very adaptable for a variety of age groups.  My girls are 5 and 7 years and they absolutely LOVE science this year.
  2. Material list – by unit – most are common household items
  3. Website suggestions and library book list
  4. Science journal and notebooking instructions – your child will add to their notebook, journal and ‘body book’ all year!

This is a sample page from our human body book.  We are going through the body systems!

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My thoughts:

ROS Life science is such a fun curriculum for the girls.  We are working through the body systems this month.  It is so packed full of learning and experiments that I am going to put it on the shelf until summer – for “Summer Science”.  It is such a thorough program that I have had a hard time completing it along with MFW Adventures science (our core curriculum).

Are you excited about doing R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey with your kids? 

You should be ~ because for a years worth of fun it only costs $38.99 for an E-book version from Pandia Press (instant delivery both teacher and student pages).  Also available from Rainbow Resource is the printed version: $45.95 teacher book and $29.95 for the student pages.

ROS is also available in Earth and Space and Chemistry – view sample on their website by clicking the links above. 

Check out their History Odyssey curriculum.

Do you want to try if before you buy it?  Click Here

See what others have said about Pandia Press products here.  See what Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers had to say about Life Science and History.

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Disclaimer:  This product was given to me for review purposes free of charge, not to be returned to the vendor. All opinions expressed in this review are mine.

 

 

Friday, November 19, 2010

KB Teachers: Worksheets & Printable Pages

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“KBTeachers brings the best the web can deliver to you and your students -- It is the one-stop destination for teachers and parents who are always on the lookout for new and engaging 21st century teaching tools and materials.”

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If you were to look at the resources I use in our homeschool, you would see LOTS of living books and hands-on fun!  I have learned of the past few years that my oldest daughter, 7, does not enjoy worksheets or workbooks but living books.   But my younger daughter, who’s 5, absolutely LOVES worksheets and activity pages.

What is my point?  Well, I have had the opportunity to review a web-based program called KB Teachers.  KB offers excellent resources for both my girls who have two totally different learning styles.

What is KB Teachers?  It is a site for Teachers and Parents that offers over 10,000 worksheets and printable pages for students in ALL grades (even high school).   KB stands for Knowledge Bears and they are celebrating their 10th year in service. 

What does it cost?  KB Teachers does not charge per download or workbook, but only $29 per year or $49 for two years.  They offer a free trial too on their website. 

KB premium members will receive a weekly email listing new resources added to the website, holiday pages, suggested lessons, and webquest links.

Here’s a few of my favorite worksheets:  These are worksheets that I typed in the text and my daughters drew the pictures.  They begged for more!!  They copied the text below the typed text too (it’s hard to see).

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KB Teachers offers over 10,000 resources, on tons of subjects and all grade levels! (even high school)

Geography, Alphabet pages, Holiday, Handwriting, Grammar, Math, Money, Time, History, Story Writing, Puzzles, Crafts, Human Body, Botany, and much more! 

ONLY $29

$2.40 per month

Check out a few samples below (primarily early elementary because of the age of my girls):

Math worksheets

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Science Worksheets 

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Language Arts (I primarily used early elementary)

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Summary of what KB Teachers has to offer YOU and your students:

* One click worksheet generators and alphabet factory
* Create an unlimited number of engaging printable activities - For all ages and grade levels – the resources are unlimited!
* Exclusive
graphics and clipart - Decorate your website, Blog, activity sheets!
* Diverse educational resources - From simple ABC worksheets, to 20 pages exams
*
Free 24/7 Support - If we don't have it, we'll create it - or help you find it
* Answer Keys - Proofed and checked quality materials you can trust
* Updated regularly - New features and member created content added every week
* Nothing to download, instant access - From any internet connection

Visit their website here -  KB Teachers! 

My review summary … buy it! It’s so worth the money at only $2.40 per month.  It’s a great resource for all teachers and parents.

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See what other members of This Old Schoolhouse Crew  have to say about KB TEACHERS click here.

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Disclaimer:  This product was given to me for review purposes free of charge, not to be returned to the vendor. All opinions expressed in this review are mine.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Wordless Wednesday: Barbie & Snow White

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Who gets to do school in Barbie pajamas? .. .. I do!

 

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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs…..

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… sitting in Origami chairs!  (made by Cousin Max)

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MFW Adventures: Wrap Up for Week 14

This week was packed full of more fun – jogging from state to state and learning about birds.

Bible:  Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through ME!”  John 14:6

This verse is a definite verse to instill in each of our hearts.  You and I both will need this in our arsenal when we have the opportunity to lead others to the foot of the Cross. What a wonderful reminder for us ~ that we first have to come to Christ in order to be accepted by the Father God.  My ‘job’, as called by God, is to share the truths of God’s Word with my girls.  What a wonderful calling as a wife, teacher, and mother!

History and Science:  The girls are continuing their study of each State; including the flag, abbreviation, capital, bird, flower and landmarks.  We traveled to Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina this week!

A few more postcards from other MFW Adventures’ families:

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The Chickadee bird was M5’s favorite bird this week.  It’s MA state bird.

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  The Connecticut state bird is the Robin.  (yes – I learned how to spell Connecticut!)

The girls had to measure 14 feet across the kitchen floor.  One Robin can eat up to 14 feet of worms in one day. 

They also held four pennies in one hand; which is the weight of a Chickadee. Teeny– tiny huh?

 

Our MFW Adventures co-op Kids made a Robin’s nest (a very edible one too)!  I had to help eat it.  It was made from: nutella, chocolate chips, chow mein noodles and cereal with grape ‘eggs’ on top!  The little red hen had a bite too!

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Book Basket favorites this week:

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Our current Read-Alouds:

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Our Book Report selections this week:

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I am using the Book Report forms from the Busy Teachers Cafe website.

Our fun project for the week with Grandma.  A7 earned two of her Brownie badges.  The girls made finger puppet dolls and painted a bird house and initial for their room.

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 One of my review product’s this week: Cornhusk Doll. 

Check out my full review on this product here from Corps Of Rediscovery.

Check back soon for our next weekly wrap-up in MFW Adventures!

 

 

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