Children's Book Review~ Pepper Parrot's Problem with Patience

My son, grandson, and I have had the pleasure of reviewing another delightful book by author Carole P. Roman-Pepper Parrot's Problem with Patience-A Captain No Beard Story.  We've previously read a few of the Captain No Beard stories, and both kids just love them. 

In Pepper Parrot's Problem with Patience, Captain No Beard and his trusty crew welcome a new crew member-a parrot named Pepper!  As they do their drills on deck, they quickly realize that Pepper Parrot doesn't know her right from her left.  The crew helps her learn, and together they successfully do their drills. 

In this story there is a theme of teamwork and helping one another, along with a subtle teaching tool for Dyslexia.  My son has Dyslexia, and I could see this story being helpful for any child, especially those with a learning disability. 

The Captain No Beard series has quickly become a favorite at my house.  The illustrations are bright and fun, and the stories are funny and engaging, with helpful character building themes.  Author Carole P. Roman is a talented author-you can learn more about her at www.caroleproman.com, and on Facebook.  Pepper Parrot's Problem with Patience is available at Amazon.

*Disclosure: I received this book free in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Product Review~Learning Success Program

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

 Does your child struggle in  school?  My youngest does.  He has dyslexia, and it makes every subject a struggle.  Learning Success is an at-home program you can do for 15-20 minutes a day, 3-5 days a week. 

There are 16 basic core skills that help our children learn.  Typical learning difficulties, such as ADHD and Dyslexia to name a few, are often a weakness in two or more of these core skills.  The exercises provided in this program help to strengthen these core skills. 

How does it work?  Each day, you are sent an email with an exercise to download and sometimes a video to watch.  Ive been receiving the emails for a few weeks now, and my son is loving these exercises because they are fun!  They involve movement and fun exercises that are games to him. 

According to the website, it can take up to three months to see results.  I already see that my son is getting better and faster at the exercises.  I'm excited to continue working on this program through the summer while school is out. 

For more information and to purchase the program, visit their website at http://www.learningsuccessblog.com/ .

Visit Learning Success on  Facebook.








I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Final Landing-T.R.I.P.

We've come in for a landing!!  This is our final review of the T.R.I.P. program.  To recap, Targeted Reading Improvement Program is an affordable ($19.99) reading program on CD-Rom.  It consists of 20 lessons targeted to help kids who suffer from ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, and other special needs.  Each lesson consists of three parts: Word Lists, Flashing Practice, and Story Cards.  There is also an introductory instructional video with step-by-step instructions.

T.R.I.P. was created by Walter C. Waid and Jordan H. Price, who have a combined total of 40 years experience working with special needs, ADD, ADHD, Dyslexic and special ed students.

We were very impressed with this program.  Chad has dyslexia, and I believe the T.R.I.P. program helped him improve in memory, attentiveness, reading, and spelling.  For only $19.99, I think that is incredible!  Chad's favorite part of the program was the Flashing Practice, and his only complaint was that the audio part of the Story Cards was too slow. I understand the need for the speaking to be slow for the very beginning readers.  It would be great if that part could be individually adjusted for speed like the Flashing Practice.  I definitely recommend this program, and hope the creators of T.R.I.P. come out with more products!

Links:
T.R.I.P. on Facebook
Purchase T.R.I.P. at www.buytripnow.com
Twitter: @trip_community

Read my past T.R.I.P updates:
Introduction to T.R.I.P.
Update #1
Update #2
Update #3

*Disclosure: I received a free copy of T.R.I.P. to review.  I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.  I am part of the CWA Review Crew.

Schoolhouse Crew Review~Reading Kingdom

I've mentioned Chad's struggles with reading in the past.  He has Dyslexia, and although he is in 4th grade, he reads at about a beginning 2nd grade level.  I am always on the lookout for good reading helps and programs!  Reading Kingdom has been a great online program for Chad!

Reading Kingdom was created by Dr. Marion Blank, the Director of the Light on Learning Program at Columbia University and one of the world's top experts in reading.  It is for ages 4-10, with the goal to be able to read at a 3rd grade level.

Reading Kingdom is the only program that teaches all six skills needed for reading and writing success:
*sequencing
*motor skills
*phonics (phonemic awareness)
*meaning
*grammar
*reading comprehension
Reading Kingdom makes learning to read fun for kids-bright graphics, incentives, and fun games. Chad loves fun computer games-so Reading Kingdom is perfect for him!  It makes learning fun-he wants to do this program during his own free computer time! 

What I like about Reading Kingdom, besides Chad loving it, is that once the account is set up, the child can do it on their own.  There are still progress reports for the parents, so you always know where your child is in the program.  Also, Reading Kingdom customizes to each student-so no wasting time on things he has mastered already.  I will be thrilled to get Chad to a 3rd grade level by the time he has completed the program-I have already noticed improvement in his reading!

There are many resources at the Reading Kingdom website.  You can access sample lessons,  as well as find learning games, tips, worksheets, and videos.  Reading Kingdom's store is where you can purchase a variety of books, as well as sign up for a  30 day trial.  The regular price of a Reading Kingdom subscription is $19.99/month or $199.99/year, with additional readers costing $9.99/month or $99.99/year.  Your membership is risk-free, you can cancel anytime. 

We are having great success with Reading Kingdom-check it out! 

 

*Disclaimer: I received a free subscription to Reading Kingdom in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Product Review~Reading Eggs

If you've read posts on this blog, you most likely are aware that we have really struggled with Chad and reading.  He is 9 years old now, but at a 1st grade reading level.  He didn't learn to read in kindergarten or 1st grade while at public school, and since homeschooling he is reading and progressing, but very slowly.  Which. Drives. Me. Crazy.  When he was little, Nick (now 20) just caught on immediately and read like a pro.  Alyssa (now 17) needed more instruction and practice, but was an eager learner and didn't take long.  So I really haven't had experience with this frustration.  Now, he does have dyslexia, so I know that doesn't help. 

We have been focusing most of our energy on phonics and reading, and he is getting there.  But like I said above, slowly.  I've found a few great programs that I love and are working, but the problem is Chad doesn't like reading or learning to read or any of it.  So it has not been a fun situation for either of us.  Until I had the opportunity to review Reading Eggs the past few months!

Reading Eggs is meant for kids age 4-8, and there is a program for older kids (7-12) called Reading Eggspress.  It is an online world with games, songs, stories, and more where you learn to read!  There are currently 100 lessons-Chad took a test and was placed where he needed to start, on lesson 67.  I liked that he didn't have to sit and do lessons he didn't need.  He does several activities and games for each lesson, and is rewarded with golden eggs!!  These eggs hatch into avatars for your child to decorate and dress.

Just above is a screenshot of a learning activity.  I asked Chad what he likes about Learning Eggs, and he said 'Everything'!  His favorite activities are dressing up and buying things for his avatar, going to the toy store, earning eggs,  and the rhyming games. I asked him what he dislikes and he replied 'Nothing!  I love Reading Eggs!'  Is that awesome or what???  Whats nice is that he can do Reading Eggs all by himself, without me helping him.  He even woke up early one morning and asked if he could 'play' Reading Eggs while I was making breakfast!!

There is so much for kids to explore at Reading Eggs-Chad has been using it for two months now and is still discovering new things to do!  I have definitely noticed an improvement in his reading ability. The parents dashboard is a great tool to show you where your child is at in the program, and what they have been learning with each lesson. Click here to try a sample lesson. Click here for FAQs about the program.

Reading Eggs is affordable-online subscriptions are $9.95 per month, $49.95 for six months, or $75 for one year! Click here to purchase a subscription. There are also sibling discounts. Along with the online program, you can also purchase book packs, activity books, and flashcards.  The online subscription comes with free worksheets to print out too! You can get a 14 day trial subscription to try it out yourself.  I definitely recommend Reading Eggs if you have a beginning or struggling early reader.  We plan to purchase a subscription when our trial runs out!

Click here to read more TOS crewmember's reviews of Reading Eggs.

Disclaimer: I received a temporary membership to Reading Eggs in exchange for my honest review.

Our Curriculum for 2011-2012 School Year!

Better late than never, I'm telling myself :)  Don't get me wrong-we did start school about 1 month ago, it's just this post I've been delayed at getting to!!  So-in case anyone is interested, this is our lineup. Keep in mind this is what we have designed for our own family, not a post on what I think everyone should use! I don't know about you, but I'm always fascinated by other homeschooler's curriculum choices, and I often learn about a product or two I didn't know about!

Alyssa is enrolled in 11th grade at Open High School of Utah (OHSU), which is a virtual High School we are very pleased with so far!! She is attempting to get most core classes taken care of so next year she can take the community college dental hygienist program, which covers 4 electives. So far it's straight As! I'm also considering using the Dave Ramsey Foundations in Personal Finance program for teens. Here is a recent photo of my sweet girl, doing schoolwork while on vacation!!

 Chad is officially a 3rd grader, but is at a 1st-2nd grade level in most areas.  He's consistently stayed about 1-2 years delayed since he became ours at age 2, but this past summer we found out he has numerous learning disabilities, including Dyslexia and Dysgraphia.  You can read that post here.  So, armed with this information, we've tailored a curriculum to really focus on reading and writing much more than anything else.  We are also getting some special education assistance-speech therapy and reading/writing help as needed.

 I decided to go with a school district in Southern Utah (we are northern), for their state-wide K12 program, Washington Online School Utah (WOSU). We are using them for the special ed, Math, History, and Science.  This is a program we used in the past with my oldest two, and were very impressed.  Chad will have lots of opportunities for field trips and fun which he needs having no siblings at all close in age. Plus I get the special support I need to learn how to teach him effectively. They also have awesome online classes and teachers there when you need them.  Some homeschoolers have big issues with what I am doing, as the state school system gets money for our being enrolled.  I believe you do what you feel/know is best for your child, and reassess that each and every year for each and every child.  Even after homeschooling for 14 years, I know when I need help, and the private kind is way too pricey.  I love that I can still involve special ed. assistance and tailor my own curriculum! Our curriculum may change later in the year based on how he is progressing.  This year I decided to try out my own version of a workbox system.  This is getting long, so our workbox system will have to wait for another post.

K12 Math, Science, and History (all 2nd grade) through WOSU.
Reading Horizon's Discover Intensive Phonics (K-3 program on computer, Orton-Gillingham based)
Susan Barton's Reading and Spelling program
Writing With Ease
Handwriting Help for Kids (will be Handwriting without Tears next)
Building Christian Character/60 Day Wonder Devotional

Later in the year: Read, Write, and Type
Occasionally: First Language Lessons, All About Spelling (click button on right sidebar for more info)*

Plus, we have so many wonderful products we get to use and review through the The Old Schoolhouse Crew throughout the year.  And after homeschooling for so many years I have lots of good unit studies and crafts to do at a moment's notice!

*I love the All About Spelling Program, and Chad had completed level 1.  We decided to start back at the beginning, now knowing his diagnosis, with the Barton program and see how that goes.  I would like to eventually get back to AAS. 

Well, that about covers it!!  I really don't have a good enough feel yet for how these products are going to work out for us, so I'll check in again a month or two down the road.  Happy Homeschooling!!

My Most Frequently Searched Word This Summer Is.........

Dyslexia!  Earlier this summer, we finally got an answer as to why Chad can't read or write higher than a 1st grade level.  Some background:  We adopted Chad when he had just turned three, and it was a special needs adoption because he was delayed in several areas.  We really figured he just needed to catch up in a nurturing environment.  Even though I was a veteran homeschooler, my other kids were teenagers and I was sick with a chronic illness, so I thought he would be better served in school.  He plugged along through kindergarten, a little behind the others, but actually was sounding out CVC words at an early age. 1st grade was a disaster-he did not progress at all.  We kept asking the teacher if he thought Chad had Dyslexia.  He continually said no(but never tested him), we just need to read with him more.  More??  As a homeschooler, we already read more than the average family! 

At the end of 1st grade, after a particularly upsetting 'incident' involving Chad's teacher, we pulled him out of school  with only a few weeks left of the year.  My husband and I both felt that I could do better one-on-one with him.  So last year we set out to learn to read and write closer to grade level.  The results?  He did progress-a little.  Not as much as he should have for all we did.  So, this summer we had him tested privately.  It turns out he does have Dyslexia, quite a severe case actually, as well as Dysgraphia, Irlen Syndrome, and several other auditory and visual learning delays.  We weren't surprised.  He has had a small amount of tutoring this summer, and I have spent a lot of time researching how to teach him.  I've had lots of great support from my friends at the TOS Crew, as many of them have experience with Dyslexia.  I've recently ordered my curriculum, and I'll do a separate post about that once it all arrives.  I'm actually excited about the promise this year holds-we finally have a direction to go in, and my prayer is that we can discover whatever it is Chad needs to understand how to read and write.