Online Learning: BigIQ Kids (A Review)

My kids love to be on the computer so when I was given the opportunity to review BigIQ Kids I knew it would be something exciting around here.  One month into using the program, the interest hasn't waned much and I have managed to easily build it into our daily routine/ schedule.  It has served to enhance and supplement our regular curriculum very nicely.


So what is Big IQ Kids?

BigIQkids programs are online educational programs specifically designed for elementary & middle school children, which present daily spelling, vocabulary, math facts and U.S. geography lessons in a dynamic, fresh environment making learning fun.

What do they offer?

Each program offers a free version and a permium version and according to the site, "the primary differences between the BigIQkids FREE and PREMIUM programs are the ability of the PREMIUM program to monitor the progress of the student and advance that student only when mastery of the subject matter has been achieved. Additionally, PREMIUM members have their progress tracked, saved, problem areas identified and these findings are reported via email to parents and/or teachers. The PREMIUM program offers students customized buddies, full game page access and the ability to save game coins and gaming high scores. These functions help double the fun while mastering core academic subject matter. The PREMIUM program has very LIMITED advertisement an no ads are displayed during lesson interaction."

The lessons are designed for daily use and it will take 10 to 15 minutes for students to complete each program.

Spelling & Vocabulary Highlights  

• The spelling and vocabulary program takes a 5 step approach per lesson:

Day 1  Word introduction
Day 2 Spelling Bee or game (word scramble, hangman type game etc.)
Day 3 Spelling Bee or game (word scramble, hangman type game etc.) depending on what they chose the day before.
Day 4 Pop Quiz
Day 5 test

• A game coin is earned after each day
• A review of previous words learned is give every 4th lesson.
• The program is loaded with grade appropriate lists or you can use your own list if you prefer.
• Students who score 100% on the quiz are in the 100% club

 Math Highlights

• Designed to be a daily drill to develop mastery in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. 
• The program is built so each child can begin at a comfortable starting point. The parent/ teacher can change this starting point to be at the student's current ability.
• Each assignment is new and slightly more challenging than the last so the students learn at their own pace.
•  A game coin is earned after each day.

US States (Geography) Highlights

• Designed to help children master fundamental U.S. State facts. 
• Students will learn all 50 states’ location, their capital cities, correct spelling and associated abbreviations. They will also learn about each state’s nickname, landmarks, economy and commonly known fun facts.
• A game coin is earned after each day.

The Verdict

Overall it is a great program.  The website is very huge and in the beginning a little difficult to navigate but now that we have been using it for almost a month the boys can login on their own, find their lesson for the day and move around the site with very few issues.

The game coin feature where coins are earned after each lesson and then can be saved or used to play a number of games is a motivational feature.  In the beginning (and even now sometimes) the boys would ask to do another lesson so they can earn a few more coins.

The kids enjoyed creating an Big IQ Buddy that appears on the screen while they are doing their lesson.  For one game coin they can customize their Buddy to look however they like (hair, clothing, accessories etc.)
I liked the instant email reports I recieved once they completed a pop quiz, test or moved on to another level.
For example here are 3 types reports I have recieved:

1. Hi Eli's Parent/Guardian:
   Eli completed the spelling test on BigIQkids.com Spelling Program for lesson 3 with a score of 100%.
   Eli is doing great!

2. Hi Micaiah's Parent/Guardian: Micaiah completed the spelling test on www.BigIQkids.com Spelling Program and scored a 92%. Micaiah spelled the following words incorrectly: hopped The above words were spelled: hoped Please practice the incorrect words at home. Remember, a little practice every day goes a long way. Thanks for using www.BigIQkids.com Spelling Program! Lesson 5 words: hopped,hoping,crying,planning,stated,frying,smiling,smiled,cried,starting,fried, hoped, hopping

3. Hi Micaiah's Parent/Guardian:
   Micaiah achieved mastery for 'Multiplication - Digit Number 3' and is moving up to the next level.  If you would like to review or modify Micaiah's lesson plan click on the 'Modify Lesson' button on the main menu.
   Micaiah is doing great!

I like that your own  spelling lists can be added and plan to use it in conjuction with our All About Spelling Program.   Another plus for me is that the math drills can be customised for the level and attention span of the child.  The default is 50 questions per day but Eli would never make it through 50 problems.  It was simple to go in and adjust the number of questions and you can even adust what percentage of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems appear on each drill.

Even though we live outside of the US we tried out the US States program.  It was definitely too advanced for my grade 1 student but my grade 3 student is enjoying using it.  I am learning facts about the US as well! 

Overall,  I would recommend this program to anyone looking to supplement their current curriculum or to use during school breaks or as after school enrichment.

We will continue to use it for this school year as it has already proven to be successful in our home in motivating the big kids to work independently giving me some valuable time to focus on the little kids.

The Pricing

Spelling and Vocabulary for grade 3 and up is free.  For K to grade 2 you will have to purchase the Junior Spelling Program for $7.99 per month or $39.99 per year ($3.33 per month).

Premium Math is $9.99 per month or $49.99 per year ($4.17 per month).

Premium US Geography $39.99 per year (no monthly option).

There is probably lots more I could say about the program but it would be better if you just go on over and take a look for yourself.  Demo lessons are available as well as a FAQ page. You can also stop over here to see what other members of the TOS Homeschool Crew are saying.



*Disclaimer -As a member of  TOS Homeschool Crew (Review Team) I was provided a complimentary year's subscription for two children by BigIQKids.com for purpose of this review.  I was required to provide my honest, (positive or otherwise) opinion of this site in exchange for this subscription. 


 

Pin it Do it: Week 2

Welcome to week 2 of the Pin it Do it challenge. It has been quite a week around here with the first week of school. It feels good to have some routine back. I managed to fit in a couple of easy Pinterest inspired ideas.

My favourite was this clever idea to use a magazine type holder to hold kitchen items.  I have been frustrated with the loose boxes of ziploc bags that get tossed around the cupboard.  I can never find the size bag that I need when I need it.  I didn't have any magazine holders laying around and a trip to town with 4 kids to look for one was not and option but I did have a perfect size cereal box that I managed to recycle in to the perfect solution!  My plastic storage bags are now neat and tidy and in one place!  Here's my cereal box version:

The original was pinned  from Chica and Jo who have lots of great ideas.


OK, your turn....Come on, link up!
Read here to see how this challenge came about and the posting rules and then feel free to link up using the linky below. You will have until Friday evening to link up. I can't wait to see how everyone is bringing Pinterest into real life!!

And were off!!

It's the first week of school around here!

It has been great!

Kind of has me wishing that every week was the first week of school...
                       

you know the freshness, the excitement, the energy...

          the cooperative kids!!

I know eventually the newness will wear off.

                    Some days we will be lacking energy.

        The cooperative spirits will come and go.

 There will be days that I just don't want to teach
                     ... and days that they just don't want to learn.

It's normal and it's okay.

But for now I am enjoying our first week!





A few months ago I read this prayer on a blog (I think it was this one).


I saved it as a note on my computer and I found it again this morning when I was looking for something else. It was a good reminder for this first week and every week to follow!

Dear Lord, 

I’m the rule maker. 

The one who makes them wash their hands 100x’s and eat their green beans. 

I am their teacher. 

I say “NO”, a lot. 

And sometimes, that is the right thing to say. 

But what I really want to be,

is the one who captures their hearts and turns them to You. 

Who I really want to be,

is a mom who has time to make cookies, play Yahtzee, and catch lightening bugs in a jar. 

What I want to say more is, 

“Yes! Let’s have an adventure today.” 

And put aside my chores, 

my have to’s, 

my grown up things

and enjoy this precious time I have with them. 

Because tomorrow, 

they will be grown. 

And I will not have a chance to do these things with them. 

I’m not sure where this in Your Word exactly, 

but I know you are a God who loves relationship. 

And You did make it a point to let the children come to you. {Matthew 19:14} 

So, would you make me, this mom, a fun mom? 

Let my children remember me: Smiling. Chasing. Dreaming. 

And having fun with them.

Pin it Do it : WEEK 1

 

Here we are!  Week one of the Pin it Do it challenge!  

Read here to see how this challenge came about and the posting rules and then feel free to link up using the linky below. You will have until Friday evening to link up.  I can't wait to see how everyone is bringing Pinterest into real life!!

For this first week I going to show you some of the things I have done with ideas I found on Pinterest over the summer and then starting next Saturday I will post about one (or more) Pinterest ideas I plan to implement this coming week.

We made this  finger paint from Easy Peasy.  It is a great recipe, easy to make and easy to use.  The kids enjoyed mixing the colours and it is safe to use even for Marcus who will inevitably put some in his mouth!  GO ahead and try it.. I am sure you have all the ingredients in your cupboard!

I saw this idea for a fun water bomb using sponges and just had to try it!  Again, they were easy to make and the kids had tons of fun.  (the original site was onecharmingparty.com )

We had a few broken pool noodles which I put to good use when I saw this idea for a marble run on Homespun Threads Kids Craft Camp (which by the way have some awesome ideas!)  And yes, my kids are still in their PJ's...hey it was summer break!

When I saw this beautiful playhouse I knew I had to make it! (it was for sale on Etsy but it doesn't appear to be available any longer)

My version is not as cute but the kids love it.

And lastly, I didn't get any pictures of our version but I did this cool craft with the kids while we were studying caterpillars and butterflies. 

from Somewhat Simple

So there you have it! Some of our Pinterest inspired activities!

See you next week with another great idea!

Don't forget, Pin it, DO it, blog it, link it!!

Bringing Pinterest into Real Life

Does the blog world need another meme? Probably not, but I am going to start one anyway and I hope you will join me! I told you about my love of Pinterest right? Well I started thinking about all the things I had pinned and how it was so easy to spend my time pinning instead of actually taking the ideas and implementing them. In order to keep me accountable to actually use the ideas that I am pinning (and thus justify the time I spend pinning), I have decided to pick {at least} one pin a week and DO it! It could be a recipe, a craft with the kids, a teaching idea, a printable, a home decorating or organizing idea... whatever!! So what about you? Do you need to bring Pinterest into your real life? Do you want to join me each week?

Here's how it will work.

• Each Saturday I will post about something I made, cooked, used etc. from one of my Pinterest pins. 
• There will be a linky at the bottom of the post for you to link up your post. 
• You will have until the following Friday to add your post.  
• It should include a link to the pin on Pinterest. 
• It should give credit to the website it was pinned from. 
• There should be a link back to Island Mama's Adventures (you can include the button provided in the side bar. )

Interested in joining? Leave a comment letting me know. The first post will be up on Saturday.