Verilux Review

Lighting can make a big difference in how your child is performing with their school work.  Are they tired when they are at their desk?  Are their eyes strained?

Did you know that research shows natural spectrum lights help us see better, reduce eye strain and fatigue, as well as improve our ability to process information?

People who use Verilux lighting report that they can read and work longer on projects of all kinds and children benefit from using these lights while studying.

We were happy to receive the DeXa Natural Spectrum LED Desk Lamp for review.  Funny Bunny's desk lamp was actually mine when I was younger so it was very old, and barely holding on.

Some of the DeXa features include:

* Dial-in one of ten brightness levels
* Long-life, energy-efficient LEDs
* Natural Spectrum light
* Durable, flexible gooseneck
* Optix lens which diffuses light to reduce glare

Some of the benefits of using the Dexa are:

* Read faster with greater comprehension
* Study longer without glare, eyestrain, and fatigue
* Work smarter with improved productivity and focus

We replaced the desk lamp that Funny Bunny was using with the DeXa Natural Spectrum LED Desk Lamp. The picture below doesn't do justice to the amount of light that it puts out.  I still can't believe how much brighter her work area is.  And I was surprised in the difference between the artificial light compared to the Natural Spectrum light. It's really made a huge difference!

Find Out More: You can find out more online about Verilux.  The DeXa Natural Spectrum LED Desk Lamp is $129.95 and comes in graphite color.  The neck extends 20 inches and the base is 6 inches.  The LED life lasts up to 50,000 hours.

Don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Our Homeschool Reviews and get our articles right to your inbox!

©2010-2014 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Thrifty Thursday

Here are the THRIFTY deals for today.

FREE Animal Fact Sheets @ 3 Boys and a Dog

FREE Homeschool Attendance and Grade Printable @ Meet Penny

FREE Introduction to Fractions @ CurrClick

FREE Student Assignment Sheets @ Blessed Beyond a Doubt

FREE Cooking Unit Lapbook @ Homeschool Share

FREE Kid Family Tree Template @ Family Tree Template

FREE Printable Alphabet Playdough Mats @ This Reading Mama

FREE Going on a Picnic Copywork Printables @ In All You Do



Don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Our Homeschool Reviews and get our articles right to your inbox!

©2010-2014 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Analytical Grammar Review

Grammar.  It's what many children hate learning and many parents dread teaching.

Analytical Grammar is a no-nonsense, mastery approach to teaching grammar.  I heard about it many years ago, so I was excited to review it with Funny Bunny, who will soon be starting 6th grade.

We received Analytical Grammar and the Analytical Grammar Companion DVD Set.

This program is very different from what we have been using for the past several years, so here is how it works.

Analytical Grammar is designed for children in grades 6 and up.  If your child starts the program in 6th or 7th grade, it is designed as a three-year program, with a total of 34 units.

Year 1: Units 1-10 {with one reinforcement one day, every other week}
Year 2: Units 11-17 {with one reinforcement once a month}
Year 3: Units 18-34

It's mentioned that an older child may want to complete the program in less than three years. A sample of a shortened schedule is given in the teacher's book.  The 34 units could be done over two years or even one year by completing one unit a week.  That's the benefit of homeschooling, as the parent, you can determine the best fit for your child.

Each unit is broken down in the following format:

* Lesson Notes
* Exercise 1
* Exercise 2
* Exercise 3
* Skills Support {units 1-10}
* Test

I think it's great that they give the option to complete three different exercises for each unit.  Sometimes Funny Bunny needed the extra practice, and other times she knew the material and didn't want to complete another page.  And that was okay with me.  If the child scores at least an 80% on the test, they can skip to the next unit.

It's also recommended to make all exercises and tests "open notes."  This gets the student use to their books and helps them easily find information when they need it.  The student workbook pages are perforated so the lesson pages can be pulled out to create a grammar reference book for future use.

There are also notes on correcting the tests.  This was extremely helpful to me since I would not know where to start to correct her work.  I found that it was also an easy way for her to go back with me and fix the mistakes.

Lastly, the Companion DVD Set is very helpful.  We started the program without using the DVD but then when we hit a lesson that Funny Bunny needed some help on, I had her watch the DVD to review the lesson and it helped tremendously.  I will have her use the DVD to introduce the lesson for now on.

Overall, I think Analytical Grammar is a strong grammar program and I would recommend it.

Funny Bunny, however, found it very repetitive.  I would like to continue the program so hopefully her feelings will change over the next few units.

Find Out More:  You can find out more at Analytical Grammar.  The Analytical Grammar set, which includes one student workbook and one teacher book is $94.95.  An extra Analytical Grammar workbook, which you would need for additional children, is $49.95.  The Companion DVD Set is $39.95.  Analytical Grammar is for grades 6 and up.

You can also find Analytical Grammar on Facebook and Twitter.





Don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Our Homeschool Reviews and get our articles right to your inbox!

©2010-2014 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Summer Days

The dog days of summer have really hit around here.  After a week of church camp {for both Funny Bunny and I} and a week of dance workshops {which are happening this week}, we have hardly any free time to spare.

Most free time this week has been dedicated to reviewing curriculum so stay tuned because you'll be seeing several reviews coming throughout the next couple weeks.  :)



Don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Our Homeschool Reviews and get our articles right to your inbox!

©2010-2014 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Away at Camp

Funny Bunny and I are taking a break while we are away at camp this week!



Don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Our Homeschool Reviews and get our articles right to your inbox!

©2010-2014 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

HomeSchoolPiano Review

If you are looking for affordable piano lessons for your children, in the comfort of your own home, look no further.  HomeSchoolPiano is a subscription program that gives you access to online piano lessons.  We received HomeSchoolPiano - Complete Set of Books, which is a lifetime subscription for up to five students.

Funny Bunny has been taking piano lessons since she was 7 {almost 4 years now} so I wasn't sure if we would like this program, or even be able to use it.

HomeSchoolPiano follow a six step cycle for learning:

1. Technique
2. Rhythm
3. Ear Training
4. Reading Music
5. Song
6. Improvisation

Once enrolled, you get instant access online and can learn at your own pace, using a phone tablet, or computer.  No special equipment is needed and you can view lessons as much or as little as you need.


There are three books available:

Book 1 {Perfect for Beginners} - This book includes six units that help you learn things like how to read music, improvise, properly grab at the keys, and includes six original pieces.

Book 2 {Building a Foundation} - Continuing where Book 1 left off, Book 2 includes six units and focuses on rhythm, technique, reading music, songs, and improvisation.

Book 3 {Unlocking the Pianist Within} - Building on the previous two books, Book 3 also includes six units that help teach harder chords, patterns, and rhythms.

Want to try before you buy?  You can sign up to try a FREE lesson to see if you like it.

My Thoughts:  This was a little tricky for me.  Funny Bunny has many piano lessons under her belt, but since I do not know how to play piano or read music myself, it was hard for me to figure out exactly where she would start. I had to have her try several of the lessons in all three books.  I think she falls somewhere between Books 2 and 3, but since he is teaching at a different pace then her books, it isn't exact.  Our challenge was finding a lesson that was new for her so she wouldn't have to sit through things she already knew. I would still like to continue the lessons, but I may first email HomeSchoolPiano to make sure we are where we should be.

Thoughts of an 11-Year Old:  I have been playing piano for almost 4 years now, and I think HomeSchoolPiano would really help beginners and people who would know where their piano level is. For me it was challenging because what I'm doing in my books is different from what is on HomeSchoolPiano. We did finally settle on Book 3 - Lesson 1. I think the instructor did a good job teaching piano, and he was very good at playing it. This wasn't my favorite piano class, but I think it is a good product for beginner-intermediate students - or any student, really!

Find Out More:  You can find out more at online HomeSchoolPiano. HomeSchoolPiano has two payments packages.  The Success Package, which includes unlimited lifetime access along with bonuses {downloads, jam tracks, sheet music} and up to 5 students, is one payment of $299.  The Payment Plan includes the same items as the Success Package but is $99.97 per month for three months.

You can also find HomeSchoolPiano on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.  






Don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Our Homeschool Reviews and get our articles right to your inbox!

©2010-2014 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Wordless Wednesday: DMB Concert

We had a fun night out and got to see Dave Matthews in concert last night. Prior to 2003, we traveled to see him 5 times.  This was the first time since Funny Bunny was born that we were able to see him live.  Fun night!



Don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Our Homeschool Reviews and get our articles right to your inbox!

©2010-2014 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Summertime Fun!

I wanted to send out a quick note about why you haven't seen as many posts from me the past couple weeks. Summer is in full swing and we are either cleaning things around the house or out playing with friends.

Next week there will be even less as we will be away at camp.  Yes, me too!!!

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!




Don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Our Homeschool Reviews and get our articles right to your inbox!

©2010-2014 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Freebie Friday!

Here are the FREEBIES for today!

FREE A Hero's Journey @ CurClick

FREE Easy Peasy Chores @ Intoxicated on Life

FREE Lego Spelling Test Printables @ Blessed Beyond a Doubt

FREE States & Capitals File Folder Game @ Half-a-Hundred Acre Wood

FREE American Presidents Card Pack @ Homeschool Giveaways & Freebies

FREE Printable Addition Flashcards @ Imperfect Homemaker

FREE Printable Journal Cards @ Clothed in Scarlet

I hope you enjoy some of these FREEBIES! If you know of any others, please leave a comment below. 



Don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Our Homeschool Reviews and get our articles right to your inbox!

©2010-2014 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Moving Beyond the Page Review

If you are looking for a complete literature-based homeschool curriculum that encourages critical and creative thinking, provides challenging and engaging projects, and supports different learning styles, then look no further!!

Moving Beyond the Page may be that complete literature-based curriculum that is perfect for your family!

Moving Beyond the Page has a lot to offer.  I received the Language Arts Package - The Wanderer and the Science Package - Weather and Climate.

Once you arrive at their website, you can shop for complete packages or individual units by age or by subject {science, social studies, language arts, or math}.  Funny Bunny and I chose her review selection by age.  If you need help with choosing the appropriate age range, you can read more at Choosing the Right Age Level.

Funny Bunny is 11 years old, so she and I browsed the titles available in her age range.  In the 10-12 age range, she selected the Language Arts Package - The Wanderer and the Science Package - Weather and Climate to go along with it.

There are 12 literature units included in the 10-12 age range. They are made to go along with one of the 6 science or 6 social studies units that make up the complete curriculum package.

All units are broken down into daily lesson plans. When you begin lesson 1 of a science or social studies unit, you will also begin the first day of the corresponding literature unit. 

You can read more here at the 10-12 overview {there is an overview for each age range}.  Scroll down and you will see the corresponding units. 

Here is how we used it:

We received the Weather and Climate Science Package in the mail, along with the The Wanderer chapter book.  The Language Arts Curriculum was provided to us as an e-book.  Included in the Weather and Climate Science Package was

* Weather and Climate Curriculum
* Weather by Brian Cosgrove
* Weather and Climate Science Kit

Each day after we began a lesson in the literature unit, we began the corresponding lesson in the science unit.  Everything was well laid out and all the instructions were very clear.

Below are a few samples from the literature unit.  Since Language Arts Curriculum was an e-book, we had to print the worksheets.  I think that's a great idea if you have multiple children working in the same unit, but I would have liked the physical workbook so I didn't have as much printing.  It's nice to have both options though.

We LOVED the Weather book and Weather and Climate Science Kit!! The Weather and Climate Curriculum was well laid out and easy to follow. All of the worksheets were in the booklet and everything needed for the experiments were in the Weather and Climate Science Kit.

Below you can see Funny Bunny made an anemometer to measure the wind speed.

Thoughts of an 11-Year Old:  For Moving Beyond the Page, I chose the book The Wanderer which went with the Weather and Climate science book. 

The Wanderer is a book about a girl named Sophie who boards a ship bound for England called The Wanderer and sets sail with her three uncles and two cousins, Cody and Brian. Along the way, each cousin learns about friendship and each other. The three are constantly having to learn and try new things, such as sailing terms, radio code, and working together. But when a rough storm hits The Wanderer hard, they start to wonder if they'll ever make it to England. 

I really enjoyed reading The Wanderer, and it's one of my favorite books now. 

The Weather and Climate Science Kit was pretty cool!  The Weather Book has a lot of neat pictures, and there were some interesting things in it!  I think the best part was that I had read something strange in The Wanderer, and I thought, What is that?  Then I read about it in the Weather Book two minutes later, thinking, Oh, yeah! I just saw that! So that's what it means! 

The experiments in the Science Kit were really easy to do, and they were fun. You know, sometimes you do an experiment, and it either doesn't work, or you think afterwords, Huh. What did that do? But not only were these easy and fun, they worked in real life and I can use them! 

I think when I picked The Wanderer and the Weather and Science Kit I made a great choice!    

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at Moving Beyond the Page.

The Language Arts Package - The Wanderer is $19.92 and includes the physical chapter book and curriculum e-workbook.  The Science Package - Weather and Climate is $50.28 and includes the Weather and Climate Curriculum, Weather by Brian Cosgrove, and a Weather and Climate Science Kit.  

The entire 10-12 Full Year Package is $842.58 and includes hard copy curriculum, literature, and manipulatives for science, social studies, and language arts.  Make sure to check out the curriculum samples and these helpful Getting Started and FAQ pages.

Shop for complete packages or individual units by age or by subject.  Available for ages 4-14. 

You can also find Moving Beyond the Page on Facebook.






Don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Our Homeschool Reviews and get our articles right to your inbox!

©2010-2014 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/