Studypod (Review)

Does the term STUDYPOD give you a mental image of a group of geeky students with pocket protectors huddled together over some incredibly long mathematical equation?   Yeah, me too!   However, I'm excited to tell you that we're all wrong!

STUDYPOD is the extra set of hands that both moms and students wish they had!  Developed by a teacher, the Studypod provides a simple way to improve your studying. It holds any size textbook and study sheets upright at a comfortable level (similar to the angle of your computer screen) helping maximize your focus. It holds virtually any textbook wide open, freeing hands for writing, typing or eating. You’ll love the book-like design and the handy internal pocket that can hold your other study supplies.

GENIO, the makers of STUDYPOD offers two products; the BOOKPOD and the STUDYPOD.  Both are physically the same product but sold under different names and colors.  The STUDYPOD is available in black, blue and pink; and the BOOKPOD is available in black, gray and beiges.  Both products sell for $19.95 each or for $16.95 each if you buy 2 or more of either product.  The makers of STUDYPOD also offer a 30 day money back guarantee if you aren't completely satisfied with their products.  So really, you have nothing to lose!

As a bonus for readers, GENIO is offering a $5 off coupon code for orders from the website.  Enter the code TOSBLOG5 when ordering to receive your additional $5 off!

Closed, the STUDYPOD measures 6.75" x 8.875" x 1.25" and easily fits into a backpack, laptop case or your purse.

I've used my STUDYPOD for recipe books (and magazines), to hold open art books so both girls can see the pages at the same time, Olivia's copywork books and honestly, I've used it to hold a book I'm reading for review on my other blog S.A.H.M. I Am!    Seriously, anything that makes multitasking easier gets two thumbs up in my book!

Check out the opinions of the other Crew members over at the Crew Blog.

Another Week Completed

This has been one of those weeks that seemed to get away from me.  It was productive and we did almost everything I'd planned, but it just seemed to be...POOF...gone.

We added Song School Latin this week.  The girls are really enjoying those corny songs on the CD and are using what they learned this week in normal conversation, of their own free will!  I'm thinking this is a good thing!  Olivia even worked it into her penpal letter this week (and thankfully her little penpal in North Carolina is using the same Latin program, so hopefully he'll know what she meant.)

Olivia apparently had a lightbulb moment.   Her math skills have increased dramatically.  Even new addition facts have been coming easily for her.  Lets just hope it stays that way for a bit!

Our Delaware study was neglected somewhat this week.  It wasn't nearly as productive as I'd hoped, but we just plain ran out of time a couple of days.   However, we did manage a few things.
- labeled the adjoining states and bodies of water on the map
- read the Delaware State Quarter book by Scholastic
- colored a state coin coloring sheet and read about Caesar Rodney's ride

Tuesday we had our co-op orientation.  Classes start September 11.  The girls are super excited, they have backpacks and are ready to jump right in. I'm a bit....antsy....read my previous post  here to see why. 

I've been adding more things to Lindsey's daily routine, just to keep her busy.  This week we worked on counting, sorting and pattern building using our handy dandy poker chips.  (Yardsale find, 50 or 75cents for a bag of 100...woohoo).

Lindsey's handwriting skills have improved.  I bought her one of those fat pencil grips and it seemed to do the trick.   She also passed her first phonics quiz this week.  I didn't think she'd have any problems, if she could quit being silly long enough to answer the questions.

Friday we went to the library and picked up a BUNCH of fun things for next week.  Now if I remember to take photos of those fun things to post here, we'll be set.   Then we went to the park and practiced baseball with Olivia.   Her batting from a pitching machine leaves a WHOLE LOT to be desired.  So it was a combination of P.E., hand/eye coordination and critical thinking skills all masked ast a trip to the park during the middle of a school day.

That's just about all of the excitement for this week.   Check out this week's Weekly Wrap Up at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers to see how everyone else did.

Life Lessons at the Ball Field

Olivia is playing fall ball this year. It's a 12 game instructional league to help the kids to improve their understanding of baseball and to improve their skill level. Last night was the first official game...but lets back up a bit.

Olivia's coach is named David. He's 40-something, with a very calm and gentle manner about him. His own kids are grown and gone, but he loves ball and he loves kids. He's always smiling when he coaches. Even when he's correcting a behavior problem or an error on the field he's smiling, and using a calm and gentle tone with the kids. Even the worst behaved on the team responds well to him. He doesn't yell, he doesn't scream, but he's in charge. He knows it, the kids know it, enough said.

Our first game was last night. The coach for the other team arrived and instantly tried to pick a fight (literally) with Coach David over something trivial that he himself was in error about. He pitched a regular hissy fit. I noticed that the kids on the team were watching Coach David to see what he would do. He calmly and gently told the other coach "I'm not here to argue with you, I'm here to teach my kids how to play ball as best they can and with the right attitude." He turned and walked to "his kids" to practice before the game.

As soon as the game started we saw (ok HEARD) that this coach was going to be a real hard pill to swallow. He screamed constantly at his team. Olivia's team was in the outfield, and they struggled because all they could hear was this other coach screaming at his team, and it was breaking their concentration terribly. The first inning was a bloodbath, we were slaughtered. It was ugly.

Coach David took our team into the dugout and had a talk with them. His words were profound, or at least to me they were. He told the team that no matter what, they HAD to tune out the voice of the other coach and listen to him. One little boy pointed out the obvious "But he's a lot louder than you are." His response was simple "You have to focus, and listen for the voice you know. You know MY voice, LISTEN for it."

How many times, do we allow the voice of the world, responsibility. business and the accusations of the enemy to drown out the voice of the ONE we know? Do we spend enough time with Him to know His voice?  Are we determined to tune out the other voices and listen for the voice that we know?   Heavy stuff in the little league dugout...
The last two innings were amazing. The kids played well, they followed directions from the voice they knew; the voice of their calm and gentle coach. The other coach screamed and raved like a wild man, it was embarrassing to watch. We'd given up enough points in the first inning that we lost regardless of the last two innings.

The game was lost, but a lot was learned...for me anyway.

Ankle Deep vs. Over My Head

This is our third year of homeschooling.  The first two years we participated in a homeschool "activity day" that met once a month and offered some classes and fellowship.   This year, we've stepped into new waters, the weekly homeschool co-op.   I had planned for this to be my ankle deep year, to test the waters as it were.  So I opted not to sign up to teach a class this year, until I get my footing.  How's that working out for me you ask???

Today was co-op orientation.  We meet every Friday starting September 11 from 9am until 2:45, with 5 class periods and 2 lunch break/recess shifts.   I saw my schedule....I'm assisting in 3 of the 5 class periods, and a recess monitor and am on the emergency substitute teacher roster.    The waters, instantly shot neck high on me with little warning.  Although I can't swim worth a hoot in real water, I do know enough to know better than to panic when the water gets deep. 

Activity day is still on our agenda as well for the year.  It's only once a month for two hours.   I'll be teaching a Native American studies class for age 9 and up. I'm also the phone tree co-coordinator for the group.

So, is it better to dive in head first, or to get thrown in?   I'll let you know in a couple of months.

Teachable Moments

Sometimes, in the midst of our lesson planning, curriculum and scheduling, God hands us a teachable moment in our child's life.  I'm sure I've missed more than my fair share, but this past week we had a noteworthy teachable moment.

Lindsey and I were in the kitchen doing something or other and during our conversation, she made some statement (which escapes me at the moment) and my response was "preach it girl friend!"  She looked at me with those big brown eyes and said "I can't preach mom, I'm a kid."    So I asked her to sing the Extended Hands song she has learned at church.   Her little voice was crisp and clear as she sang:

Man is a sinner and
Heaven is free
God is love
Christ died for you and me
If by faith, you receive, you will live eternally!!

When she finished I told her, that what she'd just sung was sharing the gospel of Jesus; and that is what preaching is.   She was stunned momentarily, then a big old grin crossed her face and she exclaimed "I CAN PREACH!!"      Yes, preach it girl friend!!

Delaware Week 1 (and other unusual things)

We've finally started our Cantering the Country study!   I've really been looking forward to it, and I think I managed to get the girls excited as well.   I decided to do the states chronologically, thus we started with Delaware.

Here are the things we accomplished this week:

-learned that Delaware became the first state on December 7, 1787
-colored a map of Delaware
-learned to locate  Delaware on the U.S. map
-colored a Delaware state flag, (adopted the state flag July 24, 1913)
-read The Delaware Colony by H. Clay Reed
-read When the Shadbush Blooms by Carla Messinger (as our segway into Delaware Indians)

We're working on a new Nutrition program (which I'll have a review for later).  Healthy recipes are part of the lesson.  This week we made homemade guacamole and then held a taste test...

Look closely at the chip in Olivia's hand above, and you'll see jus what a huge bite she tasted.  But she did try it, so I can't complain.   Then there was Lindsey...

As you can tell by Lindsey's chip, her opinion was somewhat  more agreeable.   Although, to be perfectly honest, I think it tasted just about as nasty as it looked (eeeeeeeeeeeewww).

We added a few more bugs to our collection this week.  We now have a lovely rhino beetle name Hector.

Now, we have the insect to end all insects, Queen Esther the praying mantis (shudder).  To be honest, this one just plain creeps me out.  Even the photos give me the heebie jeebies.  If we release her, it'll be in the woods, far far away lest I run into her unexpectedly in the garden and scream bloody murder.  She's a humdinger, easily 6 inches long (shudder). 

Queen Esther is in solitary confinement, seeing as she is a bug eater (and a cannibal).  She looks longingly through her container into the container where Edwards, Sonny, Nellie and Bannana Split live (she's probably thinking "oooh buffet".   If you've ever thought you'd like to have a mantis as a pet, check out these guidelines.  I especially like the checklist with "You want a pet that doesn't like to be cuddled or touched."  Yeah...this insect doesn't say "cuddle me" in any language.

I might mention that Sally the cicada died this week, her little  corpse is sitting in a container with a dead butterfly.  I really need to get some of those long bug sticker pin thingies so I can stick them on a board out of harms way.  Oh, and Banana Split is another cocoon....less than 12 hours after Olivia captured her, she was totally encased.  Just waiting for some sign of rebirth from Nellie.

Why is it, everytime I look at THIS photo, I start to feel like she thinks I'm on the menu???? 

Visit Kris at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers for the Weekly Wrap Up to see how her week (and everyone else's) has gone, or not gone depending on your perspective.

TOS Freebie Directory

Have you ever seen a product and thought it sounded great, then you order it only to find that it is NOTHING like what you imagined?   I know I have!   Then there is the battle of whether to struggle with returning it, struggle with trying to use it or listing it on Ebay and hope for some other uninformed person to buy it from you

Thankfully, The Old Schoolhouse Store has a great list of items that you can try before you buy.   There are some great resourses that may just be what you're looking for! (or that are totally NOT what you're looking for)...either way, now you'll know before you order!

To check out the Freebie Directory click here.

Imagination at Work

Today, Lindsey helped me work in the garden. She's very imaginative and talkative (my gosh does she talk!!!)  and has imaginary friends galore.  Generally, she talks to her imaginary friends about all sorts of things. Charles Ingalls (of Little House on the Prairie fame) is often her guest at the dinner table, although he's not a big eater. Today we were working along picking weeds and dead vines when I overheard this little conversation from her...

"I'm helping mom to pull weeds, now don't get in my way."....pause.... "No you can't help me to pick weeds."....pause.... "What??? WHY can't you help me pick weeds?".....pause, followed by incredulous look on her face.... "Because YOU.ARE.NOT.REAL. THAT is why you can't help me to pick weeds."

Yeah, I guess that's as good of a reason as any to not get to pick weeds.

The Quarter Mile Math – Barnum Software (Review)

In previous posts (here and here) I have lamented over Olivia's mathematical challenges.  We now find ourselves in yet another stand still as we struggle with greater and least .   The arrival of The Quarter Mile Math program could not have been any better!   The fact that she gets to use the computer more, AND race a horse across a meadow, totally overshadows the fact that she's working on math concepts that she's struggling with.   I've been able to pick the addition and subtraction topics that Olivia needs to strengthen and let her work during on her own time, knowing that the program will keep track for me and I can easily see her progress and determine if she's ready to move on or not. 

There are 6 products to choose from in the Quarter Mile Math program:   All products are available in either Standard (no internet needed and no added fees) or Deluxe (internet is necessary and their is a cost per month or year to keep scores/records)  The additional costs to the Deluxe version is very budget friendly $2.95 per month per family; $19.95 per family for one year (save $15.45 over one year) and $34.95 per family for two years (save $35.85 over two years).

Level 1                                      PK-3        $39.95
Level 2                                      4-6           $39.95
Level 3                                      6-9           $39.95
Levels 1&2 Bundle                    K-6           $64.95
Levels 2&3 Bundle                    4-9           $64.95
Levels 1, 2 & 3 Bundle              K-9           $89.95

Inside each level you get to pick what area your child works on.  With over 323 topics and  70,000 problems, there's no need to worry that they'll run out of problems before they master each skill.  Once the skill is mastered, you can continue to work on speed to make your childs math skills become second nature.   The topics covered range from keyboarding and alphabet (great for the younger kids) all the way up to pre-algebra!    There is literally something for everyone in this program.    Recently, Quarter Mile Math has added resources specifically for homeschool families!

You can enter each childs name and add individual passwords for each child.  I liked this feature because it helps me to make sure that each child is working in their own area.  I don't have to worry about Olivia accidentally giving Lindsey REALLY good scores for her grade level.   The Quarter MIle Math topics correlate to all state math standards and to the NCTM standards.  

Installation of the software was easy.  The only "glitch" we've had is that on occasion the program will say that Olivia is already logged in on another computer (we only have 1 computer).  If that happens, I normally just have to wait and try logging her on again.

Overall, I'm really pleased with this product.   We're using it to work on our keyboarding skills as well as our math reinforcement.   This will continue to get a workout for years to come!

As a special bonus for my readers, Quarter Mile Math is offering a $5 discount off of any of their products, standard or deluxe version.   To get this discount, simply enter referral number 7J7R7 on the online order form.   This $5 discount referral is good through September 30, 2009.

To see what others are saying about The Quarter Mile Math, race on over to the Crew Blog!

And the winner of the nursery rhyme book is…

I'm sure everyone has been on pins and needles all day waiting to hear the winner announced.   (Ok, HUMOR me and act like you at least checked back once or twice.)   The winner  of the Nursery Rhymes book is.....drum rolll....comment #55 SweetHollyCottage.     Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by to enter.   I was floored to see how many entries I had for my very first giveaway!

Check back soon and I'll round up another give away!

Glimpses of Week 1

We've wrapped up our first "official" week of school for the year.  I use that term loosely, since we've been working almost all summer, in an abbreviated form.   Besides our trip to the Wild Animal Park, this week we worked on getting back into a routine, and focused all our effort on  reading, writing and math, and crafts (when in doubt, make a craft!)

Even though it's the end of summer, the girls had a blast making their own sandals.  The kits were a gift from friends, and thankfully both girls shoes were too big, so they'll get to wear them next summer too!

Lindsey is working on a Bible ABC's book in addition to her phonics work.   It keeps her busy while I'm helping Olivia.      We added this apple craft to our A page.

Today the girls made gifts for our Pastor and his wife, just to encourage them.   Lindsey made a lovely self portrait...

Olivia made a  Perler Bead heart for Ms. Jackie...here is a "during" photo....I have NO clue what happened to the "after" photo, or the finished product.  I'm thinking Olivia stuck it in her Bible...but I could be wrong.

We also made a trip to the library today to pick up books that we'll need next week as we start our journey through Cantering the Country.   We'll be studying the states in chronological order.   I'm wondering how hard it would be on the kids to make a day trip to Delaware from here????

I  had Olivia write her first official letter this week.  We have out of state friends with a boy Olivia's age.  He's a hates to write with a passion reluctant writer, but he's smitten with Olivia; so we're hoping that it is enough to encourage him to pick up the old pencil!  We shall see.

We added a new insect to our bug jar in the dining room.   Meet Edwards, the katydid!

Head over to the Weekly Wrap Up at  Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers to see how eveyone else's week went!

Lions and Bears and….Goats?

This is our first "official" week of back to school.  Monday our schedule got way off track due to unexpected company for several hours.   We did get through everything that I had planned for the day, at 6:45pm.  ....sigh....

Today was better, our first field trip of the year!!  We threw in 3 other kids from Olivia's Sunday school class and hit the road.   We visited a "Wild Animal Park".   There were some lovely parrots, some cuddly bears some aggressive ostriches and some VERY lethargic lions.    Out of all these animals, what do you think fascinated everyone the most???

Yeah....goats.   Go figure!!  Had I known that, I'm certain I could have found a goat farm much closer to home!   After our third trip by the goats we finally made it around to see some of God's other amazing creations.

Here is a wonderful group shot of our little troop.  From left to right....Amber (7), Olivia (6), Abby (6) Katie (8) and of course little Lindsey (3) in the back.   They are a wonderful group of kids, so well behaved and well mannered.

And dorky!

You KNOW I'll get some major points with the moms when they see that the kids have veggies on their plates at the pizza place!   (We just won't tell them that they were using the carrots to scoop up their squished brownies.   Why ruin a good thing, right?)

And how can you tell if your field trip was successful?   Everyone collapses into crumpled heaps on the way home.   There are actually 3 little girls on that back seat....but they were hunkered down for the duration.    Nice!

Homeschool Showcase #29 Is Up!

Kris over at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers has done an EXCELLENT job pulling together resources for the 29th edition of the Homeschool Showcase.   Be sure to stop by and get some great ideas from around the homeschooling world.    There are some awesome projects going on!

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Nature Studies (up close and personal)

Although my girls are very "girlie" there is one area that Olivia diverts from the norm....bugs.  She LOVES bugs.  She randomly captures them and gives them names and tries to turn them into pets.  Imagine her horror to find that "Petty" (a lightning bug) was crushed while sleeping in bed  with her  (shudder).

As late summer arrived, we've found a new love.  Cicadas...seriously.  We found a cicada shell in the flower bed out back.  She carried it around for HOURS.

Then we found more...and so on, and so on...for days.   Currently this collection is hanging in our dining room, marked with the date and location they were found.

Since there was an interest, I threw together a quick unit study/lapbook for us.

On the left is a little booklet entitled "The Cicada" full of little factoids.  On the right is sequencing cards for the life cycle of the cicada.  Both of these items were found on Enchanted Learning.  The blank areas are for photos once we've completed our collection.   These are FAR more colorful than real cicada's...but I bet they'd look like this if they could.

This lovely diagram (also from Enchanted Learning) was lots of help as we studied the shells we've found.

As if this lovely collection in the dining room isn't interesting enough, my friend Amy captured  a couple of caterpillars for us yesterday and brought them by last night.  Overnight Nellie (the larger caterpillar) spun her cocoon.  Nellie is the big grey glob on the stick in the center of the photo.   Isn't she lovely?   (ok, it could be a he...but I wasn't up for the argument with the girls over the point). 

She has a roommate named Sonny.  Sonny is an active little guy...very entertaining to watch.  You DO see Sonny, don't you?

We also cut a couple of sunflower heads off today to dry out to replant the seeds....they are HUGE.  This cookie sheet is 17.25 inches by 11.5 inches...

So...here is a typical dining room...for a homeschool family....

Bon appetite!

A Tisket a Tasket….Everything in a Basket

Disorganization makes me twitch...seriously.  If I show up for an activity and its chaotic and unorganized, you can pretty much count on me not returning.  I can't help it...it makes me twitch.

So in order to keep order in our house, I use containers...LOTS of containers.   Each girl has their own pencil box in their desk.  The pencil box houses their pencil, eraser, scissors, glue stick and coloring pencils.   The crayons are kept in a community property box (read: a big old plastic ice cream bucket with a lid and handle).

Current curriculum is stored similarly, in tubs.   Everything Olivia needs is in her tub.  Currently  it contains the three teacher manuals for Abeka 1st grade (yes three...sheesh); a pack of subtraction flashcards, two flip chart books one on addition, one on subtraction and her current reader.  Lindsey's tub contains the two teachers manuals for Abeka K4, and the coordinating flashcards; geometric shape lacing cards and the book I'm currently reading with her. 

Then I have a tub for subjects that are done with both girls.  This tub is stocked, but we won't start using it until next week when we start back to school full time.  It contains our Cantering the Country book, (and  U.S. Floor Puzzle, U.S. animals flashcards, U.S. flash cards for all 50 states (lots of interesting factoids on there); US. Coloring Books, a book on Delaware (our first state to study); 5 senses game;  Song School Latin curriculum and Discovering Great Artists

I have a four drawer plastic cart that houses other items.  Math manipulatives are in one drawer.  The next drawer houses lacing cards/beads etc.   Each child has a drawer for their workbooks (so every Saturday I do my lesson plans for the following week, pull out the corresponding worksheets and place them in their corresponding 5 pocket file folder. 

This system helps me to know where things are and not be scrambling around every day looking for bits and pieces of our school day. A place for everything and everything in its place....just a little something that works for me.  Head on over to We Are THAT Family and see what is working for everyone else!