Extremely Wonderful!

My older sons LOVE the Extreme Dot-to-Dot books. It was very disheartening to see them "out-grow" doing dot-to-dot books. Although they still loved them, the typical dot-to-dot books were just to easy for them. I was thrilled when I Read more

And I thought dot-to-dot was for little ones!

My older (4th grade and up) children LOVE these Extreme Dot to Dot Animals books! They take them in car rides and ask to do them to unwind from regular school work. They are so fun because, unlike simpler Read more

Mind Benders Beginning Book 1

Great Intro to Thinking Skills! Having never attempted any thinking skills type books, MindBenders were a great way to ease into them. Each puzzle gives the student a select amount of information in which he must use inference to deduct Read more

Pocket Disc Sports Edition

Fun for ALL ages! This super soft pocket disc is amazing! Not only is it soft and easy to catch, it has amazing distance and great ease in throwing. My 10 year old loves to keep it in his back Read more

Macbeth - Graphic Shakespeare Graphic Novel

As a literature major in college, I developed quite the affinity for The Bard. However, I have never agreed with the notion that Shakespeare plays should be read as they were written to be performed. But managing to take Read more

Homeschool Fun

Jumbo Magnifier by Learning Resources review

Jumbo Magnifier by Learning Resources

We purchased two of these (Jumbo Magnifier by Learning Resources) for our toddler twins, and haven’t regretted that purchase for a second! From the large size, to the jumbo handle, this is truly rough and tumble and well suited for toddlers to use.  One of my twins would sit for the longest time staring into it, moving it around, looking at things closer, and further away.   And i suspect this will be something they play with for years to come, just in different ways.  The attached thingy that holds a paper close to the magnifier broke on one of mine- but we don’t really use that part anyway, so its function is still retained.  So if you have REALLY rambunctious toddlers- you may have that problem but overall this thing is as strong as steel.

Rebecca

Visit timberdoodle.com to read additional Jumbo Magnifiers reviews.

 

Share

Posted on in Homeschool Fun, Homeschool Preschool, Homeschool Science, Homeschool Toddlers Leave a comment

Preschool Timberdoodle Core Curriculum

Preschool Timberdoodle Core Curriculum 2011

We are in love with this!

The Preschool Timberdoodle Core Curriculum 2011 came in 3 days ago and I haven’t heard the end of it. My 3 yo is having so much fun he wants to do “school” all the time. It was nice to be able to tweek it a little so that I can include my almost 2 yo as well. If you’re not sure about something give them a call and they can help you make it work specifically for your child(ren).

Michelle R from WA
Share
Posted on in Homeschool Curriculum, Homeschool Preschool, Product reviews Leave a comment

Guidecraft 3D Feel & Find

Guidecraft 3D Feel & Find

Simple, creative learning opportunity

The 3-D Feel & Find is a helpful component of our homeschool.  It has multiple uses for multiple ages.  It is a very simple toy/game, which I like, but it still provides challenge to several age levels.  My younger children use the puzzles outside of the bag to match the shapes, which include basic shapes as well as people, trees and animals, to their wooden opening.  My older children are able to match the pieces while they are still in the bag and thus unseen, developing their sense of touch better.  Additionally, the game is good for teaching shapes and colors. The pieces can be further used for role-playing with the people and the animals.   All the pieces store in a durable drawstring canvas bag.  The puzzle pieces can be used also without the wooden bases to role play.  Note that the box depicts pieces that may not be identical to the inside contents in terms of the specific shapes, but they are basically like what is shown.

Karen
from Waynesboro, GA

 

Share
Posted on in Homeschool Baby, Homeschool Preschool, Homeschool Puzzles, Homeschool Thinking Skills, Product reviews Leave a comment

Fun Educational toy

Educo Colorback Sea Turtle Bead Maze

 

This turtle maze is appealing in various ways. It is a fun quiet toy for your child to play with, without making a mess or losing pieces. It teaches good manual skills, and mental skills, as well. As they begin, they will just work on the ability to move the balls around, but eventually they will begin matching the colors and bring up the skill level a notch.

Misty
Buckeye, AZ
Share
Posted on in Homeschool 1st Grade, Homeschool Baby, Homeschool Preschool, Homeschool Puzzles, Homeschool Toys, Product reviews Leave a comment

Cuisenaire Rods Introductory Set

Cuisenaire Rods Introductory Set

2nd Generation Cuisenaire Rods!

As a homeschool student, these were my FAVORITE math manipulatives. My siblings and I spent hours playing with these colorful rods… AFTER we were done with school work! Now, as a mother of four young children, I’m excited to add cuisenaire rods to our homeschool curriculum this year. I look forward to seeing my children enjoy these for years to come!

Kristy
Texas
Share
Posted on in Homeschool Math, Homeschool Preschool, Product reviews Leave a comment

Tolo Shape Sorter Play Bench

Tolo Shape Sorter Play Bench

I received this set a few weeks ago for our children, ages 7, 5, 3 and 10 months old.  It has been a perfect fit for our young family!

The older kids enjoy the play bench as much as the little ones do!  It’s great to watch them teach their younger siblings colors and shapes as they all play together.

Our three-old son LOVES the hammer!  He can work with his tools just like Daddy.  :)  Since the hammer is attached to the play bench by a cord, we don’t have to worry about it getting misplaced.

At 10-months old, our little guy enjoys shaking the rattley shapes more than anything!  The shapes are bright and colorful, just a tad noisy, and the perect size for his chubby little hands.

The Tolo Shape Sorter Play Bench is an all around favorite at our house!

Kristy from Saginaw, TX
Share
Posted on in Homeschool Baby, Homeschool Preschool, Homeschool Toys, Homeschooling Boys, Product reviews Leave a comment

Kid-O A to Z Magnatab Magnetic Writing Tablet

Kid-O A to Z Magnatab Magnetic Writing Tablet

I was really excited when I saw this product, as  I knew it would be great for my 5 year old son who is struggling with his handwriting. I like a gentle approach to handwriting, but who has time to make pudding all day long and let them trace in it?! This solves my desire to let my son have hands on activities for handwriting, yet without the mess.

I would really like it if the pen was attached to the magnetic board. I’m trying to figure out a way to attach it myself.

Even my 13 month old loves to use this! The sound of the magnetics being pulled up keep her happy.

I really hope they come out with a numbers one, I would buy it!

Caroline
from Oak Grove, MO

The Magnatab is now available in Uppercase Letters, Lowercase Letters, and Number!! You can find all three at timberdoodle.com

Share
Posted on in Homeschool Language Arts, Homeschool Preschool, Product reviews Leave a comment

Faber-Castell Fish Sharpener

Faber-Castell Fish Sharpener

Actually Works!

I have bought so many pencil sharpeners and been disappointed by them all. But this one honestly is completely different. It actually sharpens the pencils. Previously I was having issues with the pencil lead breaking off completely, or the pencil sharpening but then breaking once the children started writing. I’ve been using this sharpener for a couple weeks now and it’s consistently doing a great job of sharpening the pencils, both regular and colored! I like it so much that I hide it from the children…guess I should just buy them their own! :o )

Carissa
Andover, MN
Share
Posted on in Homeschool Art, Homeschool Art Supplies, Homeschool Preschool, Product reviews Leave a comment

Crocodile Creek Back Sack

Crocodile Creek Back Sack

Unbeatable Bargain of Usefulness!

I can’t imagine anyone regretting buying the Crocodile Creek Back Sack, especially at this price.  I got one for each of my kids (ages 6, 4.5, 2.5) and am so impressed with the quality–I expect them to last for years.  Yes, when cinched closed, the straps are long for kids my age, but it’s easy to knot them shorter until the kids get taller.  Great for letting the kids pack their special stuff for a trip.  I’ve also packed lunches for all of us and had my oldest carry them in his pack–worked great and gave him something to be responsible for.  Highly recommended.

Kirsten K.
from Tacoma, WA

Crocodile Creek Back Sack only $4.50 each at timberdoodle.com

Share
Posted on in Homeschool Preschool, Homeschool Toys, Product reviews Leave a comment

The Reading Lesson Book

The Reading Lesson Book

I started gently teaching my son letter sounds at the age of 2.  He had learned colors, numbers, shapes, and letter names already, so other than fine motor skills, it was about all I could think of to teach him.

I started with another reading program and he did it, but he didn’t particularly like it.  When I found The Reading Lesson, this was the perfect fit for him.  The pages are very uncluttered, so a child isn’t looking at a bunch of words that he can’t read yet (but that you can).

We took it really slow.  As he got older, he was able to handle a little more.  We have finished the book and are moving on to Phonics Pathways.  When you finish The Reading Lesson, your child should be reading at about a 2nd grade reading level.

Not all children at a young age are ready to learn to read, but if you’ve got a young eager beaver, I’d say this program is perfect for children 2-7 years of age.

Jennifer
from Fostoria, OH
Share
Posted on in Homeschool Kindergarten, Homeschool Preschool, Homeschool Reading, Product reviews Leave a comment