My Review For Prodigy Math Game

As we round out our school year, I have been planning for next year, already.  I already got Chemistry purchased, and I am looking at getting Alpha/Omega for my daughter.  I have heard mixed reviews for their Lifepac series, but my son has been doing their Consumer Math, for this year, and we had no issues.  I am probably getting her a grade ahead then where she will be.  So, I won't have to worry about her, plus I can always supplement if it isn't enough.  I am not sure I will use their Math, because she is really enjoying Prodigy Math, and I will be using Saxon 7/6 with her.  This will free up a lot of computer time that the kids are currently monopolizing for school, and allow me to get some much needed computer stuff done.  My son was going to do 3 classes on FLVS, but because of the reason I just stated, and the fact that I found some much forgotten high school text books, he will only be doing 1 class on FLVS.  His reading music lessons will also be online.  So, I really still just need a Chemistry kit, and Saxon Geometry, and we are all set for next year.  I hope, lol


I am doing a short review for Prodigy Math.  This is not a paid, or sponsored review, just a website we enjoy and I want to share it with my readers.  Prodigy Math is free.  There is a paid membership, 5 dollars a month, but we currently use the free version.  If my daughter decides she will do it every day, for an hour, over Summer, I will let her get a membership.  Below are my likes and dislikes about Prodigy Math,

Likes:
1.  It is grade K-8, so it meets a lot of levels.
2.  My daughter actually enjoys it.
3.  I get to choose the topics, number of questions, and time frame for her to practice.
4.  They offer a free placement test.
5.  You can use Common Core, or choose not to.
6.  It is free, and lets face it 5 dollars per month is not that bad either.
7.  You can play unlimited, even free accounts.
8.  It gives me accurate reports for each student.  Currently both my kids are signed up as students, but only my daughter uses it.


Dislikes:
1.  Prodigy Math does not actually teach your student.  So, it is not a complete Math program for me.  I still have to teach her things she doesn't know.  I am not complaining, but it would be awesome if they offered lessons.
2.  This is not Prodigy's fault, so not really a dislike just for them, but for all computer based learning, and that is sometimes directions are not clear enough, and it is  hard for the student to figure out exactly what the computer wants.  That is one of the things I dislike about most computer based learning.

Teaching Homeschool Math When You Don't Remember Learning It Yourself

We are moving our way through Algebra 1, with Math U See.  Up until yesterday, I was able to teach the lessons, and assist, without too much difficulty.  Then came Slope and Intercept.  Ugh, not only do I not remember ever learning this, I don't remember ever having to use it either.  But, now I do.  The Math U See videos are not always helpful.  I like the instructor, but it doesn't always click.  We started using Core Algebra 1, as a supplement for videos.  DJ, and I, both find the instructor helpful, though a little dorky, but we can understand him.  I watched his lesson on Slope and I think I got it.  I have to memorize the formula, but I think I will just write it down, lol.  Unit 6, Linear Functions, is the lesson.  Of course, you could do them all.

Every now and then, I go through my Pinterest homeschool board, to look for things I forgot about.  I found a great website to help improve writing skills.  I wanted to share it, so I could find it easier, and so you could find it too.  It is free, and I like it.  There is another one for Grammar too, that I will share another day.  I don't think I will have my daughter, write every day, usually Friday is writing, so that will give her plenty of time to think about the topic. 

Don't forget to check out my new Jewelry in Candles Store.  I have to sell six candles in three months, or get booted.  The widget is in the top left hand corner.  Just click it.  You get to pick the type of jewelry, with your candle choice. 

Math U See and Core Algebra 1 Online

Some of you may have remembered that I bought Algebra 1 Math U See, with instructional video, even before we started Summer Vacation.  We watched parts of the video over the Summer.  While DJ is doing OK, he is still frustrated and not where he wants to be with Math.  The workbook is difficult.    It only has 15-20 questions per lesson, and they are long and hard.  There is not enough room to work out each problem, and not enough problems.  These are DJ's observations.  I believe I can print off more worksheets for each lesson, on their website.  But, for the price I paid for the books I don't think I should have to use my own ink to do that.  He also has not bonded with the instructor on the dvd.  I know that sounds stupid, but he does not care for the way he teaches, especially since he uses a lot of manipulatives, which is just confusing.  So, we are not giving up on Math U See.  I like it a lot.  I like the instructor, minus the manipulatives, and find the teacher textbook very helpful.  But, I myself have been using Core Algebra 1 to teach myself, and relearn topics I forgot.  Two days ago, I let DJ try it.  He does like this very much.  He likes the instructor, who is quite a bit younger than the Math U See gentleman.  He likes the online tests.  They get progressively harder, but he watches the video each time.  So after five tests he has watched the video 5 times.  So, he will do the Core Algebra 1, online lessons, then do the Math U See harder lesson after he has hopefully mastered it.

Caitlin is progressing nicely with her Saxon 54.  The only concern I have is that she needs to do more multiplication, and has not started division concepts yet.  I think I will be looking for something to supplement those for her. 

Make Your Own Money Learning Game with Household Items

This can also be a recycling or upcycling project for your school lessons. My daughter loves to learn through play. Online games or nice, or apps on the tablet, but hands on games are even better. Money, adding coins and making change, is one of the areas she needs great improvement in. I saw on Pinterest where someone had made an alphabet game using these same type items, and it made me think why not make it a money game. I used caps from water bottles, a jar I had already painted, a Pringles top which fit the jar perfectly, and some buttons for extra coins.

First decorate your jar if you want. Cut a hole in the Pringles top. Right various denominations of coins on the water bottle tops with markers. The buttons are extra money. The small buttons can be either 1 cent or 10 cent, and the larger either 5 cent or 25 cents. Then make a menu of items your child frequently eats throughout the day. You can print one too, but my printer is currently not behaving itself.

Then for each meal, with your help especially at first, the child picks what they want to eat and adds up enough coins to make the correct amount. After they get the hang of it you can make change too. You may need more buttons or tops. I have not tried it yet, so can not judge. Of course you could use real coins, but ours get thrown in a large container for savings and they are a pain to get out. Besides this was more fun to make. Plus with the decimals written out on the tops, they can learn their decimals as well. She will be adding them up on paper as well. Add in equivalent fractions and percents too, to make it more challenging as you go along. I will be starting this with her tomorrow. I am hoping by the time we go back to regular lessons, she will be a whiz at this.

Now if I could find a parts of speech and punctuation hands on game I will be happy.

Basketball, Math and Earth Kids Club

Seems like I get to do own one or two posts a week now. Just too much going on. Anyway, I wanted to share my very talented dog, Biscuit. Some of you know Biscuit from reading this blog. She has taken up basketball with Caitlin. When Caitlin throws the basketball, Biscuit actually jumps in the air like she is shooting it, then retrieves it and runs off with it, when it comes down. Now if she could learn to dunk, we might be famous, lol!

If your homeschooled child likes the Math they are currently using, don't change it, even if you hate it. Over the Christmas break I decided to try different Math with DJ. We have been using Saxon and it works for him, but I was getting annoyed with it. Anyway for three weeks I have been fighting with him about Math. This does not work for either of us, and achieves little. So, back to Saxon we go. He is comfortable with it, does well with it, and ultimately that is what matters.

We are about half way through our Earth Kids year. Each child finished up their snake demos, and in two weeks we will be doing a nature scavenger hunt. I am especially excited about this, and I hope they have a ball.

That is it for now.

Reinforce Math With AAA Math

Happy St Patrick's Day! Does your child struggle with math, or just needs some extra practice? Maybe you just like to reinforce math over breaks, and summer vacation. AAA Math could be a helpful resource for you. From Kindergarten through 8th Grade, these lessons and activities are very beneficial to any child learning math. If you are re-learning math, like me in order to teach it, or you are going back to school yourself, this website can also be very helpful to you. It is an easy to use website, though somewhat boring. It is difficult to find a math website that isn't boring, unless of course you love math. Check it out, and use it as you need, it is Free! If you already do use this site, please share your experience with all my readers.

Coins In My Hands

Caitlin is learning about money denominations, identifying money, and adding money. This cute video has a catchy tune to help your children learn about the amount each coin is worth. It is much cooler this week, here in FL, so I am hoping to get quite a bit of yard work done. It is a bit of a challenge with a new puppy in the house. It is just like having a new born baby, except way louder. We had been having laid back Monday's, but now I am picking it up a bit, to be sure nothing gets left off the curriculum by the end of the school year. Next week we go on Spring Break, so there will be plenty of time to relax then. Have an awesome Monday, everyone.



Lesson Plans For 03/07/11:

DJ:
Head of the Class: 30 minutes
Math: Saxon 54
Reading Comprehension: With worksheet
Writing: Fishy Monday blog post
Language Arts: Simple sentences
Sign Language

Caitlin:
Head of the Class: 30 minutes
Money Identification
Language Arts: Describing words, suffixes
Word Search: Weather
Phonics: Letter G
Reading: Happy and Max
Math: Subtraction, spacial figures
Animal Coloring Page
Following Directions: Worksheet
Printing Practice

Miquon Math, Play Date, and A Rabbit

Today is our play date at the park, from 12-2. We don't do official lessons on these days. Here are some pictures of the new rabbit. His name is Cinnamon Bun Spot, or just Spot for short. Caitlin is still learning to care for her rabbit. You can see more rabbit pictures on DJ's blog. Last night we had 4H, and it was much less chaotic, and everyone had a good time. I have put the Miquon math link below so I can find it easily. I think this is the math program I will use for Caitlin until she gets older. I love the Saxon math for DJ, but he is older and the Saxon is quite difficult when they are real young, at least I think it is. The Miquon was recommended to me from another homeschooler, and it is very affordable. Though I have not actually tried it yet, I will be using it next year for 2nd grade with Caitlin. The kids are going through some sadness right now, because their friends who live directly behind us are moving. They will be in the same town but they won't get to play with them every day anymore.