Home School Product Reviews

Sit 'n Gym

I have an extrememly wiggly 6 year old boy and purchased this to help keep him in one place.  Unfotunatly it does just the opposite!  The feet on the ball are supposed to keep it from going anywhere, but they are placed too close together and he ends up chasing it across the room.  So after much MORE frustration, it is in the garage sale pile.  For us, it was a waste of money, and we are still looking.  In theory it was a good idea, but only in theory.

I was excited about this new spelling program, but then when I tried it I was a little dis-enchanted.  I felt like doing spelling everyday took up too much time in our school day.  I have use Spelling Power in the past with two of my other children.  I prefer to give words once a week, have them practice them on their own, and then have a test in the end of the week.  However, I like the immediate correcting of the Sequential Spelling program and have tried to incorporate the two together into something that works for me.

Gloriously legible handwriting

This is the handwriting I chose because it uses one stoke for most letters, looks very neat and was a good transition from how they already wrote (on their own). I have enjoyed it for my four (almost five) schoolchildren as have they. We did move to tradition cursive after the printing but it was an easy transition.

Your own animation studio in your home

Our girls have shot numerous movies and are in the process of writing a super”pet” movie.  They create scenes with their doll house furniture and use the Stikfas and Pet Shop pets for characters.  I’m glad I found something enjoyable and educational for their Productive Free Time.

Over 300 brain challenging puzzles.

This puzzle is amazing!  We got it for my 4-year-old son for Christmas.  He really enjoys it, and after the kids were down for quiet time, the adults took turns playing with it!  My mom liked it so much she bought one for herself.  Great brain workout!

We love this math!!!  We have struggled in the last few years to find a math program that could balance academics without making our children cry tears of boredom and/or frustration.  This math is wonderful for both parents and children.  As a parent/homeschool teacher, this math program teaches each lesson, gives them practice and review problems and keeps track of their grades on each lesson (we don’t do grades yet, but it allows me to very easily see if there is a lesson or section of lessons that we need to spend more time on).  For kids, it’s fun and interactive.  Teaching Textbook challenges them but not to the breaking point.  We started using this program this year for our 4th grader (using level 5) and our 6th grader (using level 7).  We used the placement test to determine which level to use.  We are wholeheartedly sold on this program!!!!  We look forward to math now.

Europe Geopuzzle has 50 pieces and is 19" x 16"

I bought GeoPuzzles because my children have no enthusiasm for learning geography.  To increase the educational value I have the kids say the name of the country puzzle pieces outloud as they add it to the puzzle. But my kids increased the educational value ten-fold by quizzing each other after the puzzle is finished.  They take turns removing a piece and trying to stump each other naming the missing piece.  If the missing piece can’t be guessed, the country is spelled one letter at a time until someone guesses it. Not only are they learning, but they are having fun together.

A wonderful teaching aid for introducing your child to logic

My 5 y.o. daughter loves solving the Zoologic puzzles.  They are fun!  She enjoys solving them on her own, and then I help her to verbalize why the solutions work.   These puzzles are great for strengthening her reasoning ability, teaching her to analyze solutions, and developing self-reliance in problem solving – all at her own pace.  A great little game.

SOS is overall ok, but my kids got tired of it quickly and found the program “nit-picky” when it came to quiz and test answers which frustrated them.  It is a good program to use if you have no other alternative (ie busy with younger children and need consistency), but I wouldn’t use it for all subjects on a regular basis unless I had to.

Teach Language Arts to 3-5 year-olds

I wish I’d have had Sandi’s books for all my older children.  This is such an easy way to teach children phonics, writing, and give them great introductions to art and culture.  I used book 2 and most of book 3 this year. I know the idea is to only do a lesson a day, however, my 6yo son loved these so much he asked to do more, therefore we went through level 1 completely by Christmas and are about 1/2 way through level 2 right now with about 30 days of schooling left. I can’t recommend this method of teaching enough! Less stress, more learning!