K5 Learning: A Review

We had the opportunity to review another online program over the past few weeks.

K5 Learning is an online after-school study program for kids in kindergarten to grade 5. It's aim is to  build reading, math and study skills to last a lifetime.  It includes 4 components:

1. K5 Reading helps kids become strong readers and develop a love of reading. This award-winning program covers phonemic awareness, phonics, sight words, vocabulary and reading comprehension.
2. K5 Spelling is an advanced vocabulary program which improves language skills one word at a time. We feature adaptive instruction, automatic word generation, an optimized visual interface, and a 150,000+ word database.
3.  K5 Math Facts uses adaptive technology to help kids develop instant recall of basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts. Progress on each and every math fact is monitored until mastery is obtained. 
4. K5 Math is an award-winning program which builds self confidence and a deep understanding of math concepts. K5 Math covers numbers and operations, geometry, measurement (including time and money), algebraic thinking and data analysis.

What did we think?

I was able to use K5 with Micaiah, Eli and Eden.  Each child did an assessment to begin with and was place in the program at their appropriate level.  The assessment was a great tool to have and was helpful to me to see that all three kids were on track and even ahead of grade level in some areas.

A sample assessment report

Once logged in the kids could choose the area they wanted to work on. 

Micaiah concentrated more on reading comprehension and vocabulary and covered topics such as cause and effect, drawing conclusions and making inferences, facts and opinions, poetry, sequencing and summarizing.

Eli and Eden focused more on math.  The program guides the student through each assignment and exercise using audible and visual instructions so the child is able to work independently and at his or her own pace.

One feature that I like is the Parent Dashboard where I can track their progress and assign lessons and spelling words if necessary. 

All in all this is a good program.  I didn't like some of the tactics they use for teaching addition as they seemed to confuse Eli but I really did like the reading comprehension lessons that Micaiah worked on.  If you are looking for a program to supplement your homeschool learning enviroment  or as an afterschool program to use at home take a look at K5.  Their website has sample lessons and more detailed information about the program.  You can also sign up for a 2 week trial to see if it is right for you and your child.

The pricing of this product is as follows:

Pricing

Monthly Subscription

First Child.......................$25

Additional Children..........$15

Annual Subscription

First Child.......................$199

Additional Children..........$129

See what other families thought of K5.  Click Here!

 Disclaimer:  As a member of TOS Crew review team, I was given short term access to the program in return for my honest (positive or otherwise) opinion of this product.


  

100 Days and a Whole Lot of Glass

We recently reached our 100th day of school and in order to celebrate this I wanted to make something special with the kids, something unique. I was having trouble thinking of the perfect craft and then I stumbled upon this sea glass map from Layered Soul.  As soon as I saw it I knew what we should do {Hey, I shamelessly admit that my best ideas are not my own!}

 So here's how we celebrated our 100th day of school...

Collecting the sea glass

sorted and counted

Eli wanted to know how much it all weighed

laying it out

   

the end result

Our sea glass map of Bermuda

  I think it turned out great!

Reading Eggs: A Review

When I first considered homeschooling I didn't imagine the vast amount of resources available for home learners. This year we have been exposed to a number of online resources which have been an added bonus to our regular curriculum. One of these programs is called Reading Eggs. Reading Eggs is a unique online world where children learn to read. It supports each child’s learning by offering individual, one-on-one lessons that allow children to progress at their own rate. The program is designed for 4-8 year olds who want to learn to read. It begins at an absolute beginner level, so children need no prior knowledge to start. The Reading Eggs program has been developed by a highly experienced team of teachers, educational writers, animators and web developers.


 How does Reading Eggs work?
The program begins with a reading assessment (if your child has no prior reading experience you can opt for them not to take the assessment and just start with the first lesson.)   The result of the assessment determines where your child will begin and they are give a map to view and track their own progress.  Each map consists of 10 lessons and the lessons are made up of several activities that the child needs to complete each day.  The student progresses in order, they are not allowed by the program to skip ahead.  (The parent can change the level if necessary).   

Once the assessment is complete, the child  works through animated online lessons where they learn essential reading skills. The variety of fun activities within each lesson provides the repetition needed for these skills to become part of the child’s long term memory.  There are 120 lessons for the child to work through, taking them from beginners to early readers who are building confidence.  Children gain confidence by reading books online that only contain words they have already learned in the program.  Along the way the child will earn golden eggs as rewards for work completed and they use these eggs to buy reward games.   After 10 lessons, children complete a Mastery Quiz and these results are made available through a personalized email to the parent so you can track your child's progress.

In addition, Reading Eggs has spelling component and there is also a program for older children called  ABC Reading Eggspress which is designed to build reading and comprehension skills, for students in grades 2-7 (7-13 year olds).

 What did we think?

When we were given a free trial I decided to use it with Eli.  Eden would have benefited from the program but she was already doing an online reading program.  Eli is a fairly confident reader and whizzed through the assessment.  He was place on map 8 to start with, skipping the first 70 lessons.  Even so, the lessons were not very challenging for him.  I was tempted to adjust the level but he was happy to complete the lessons and I figured the reinforcement of the phonics skills he learned last year was not a bad thing.  He has enjoyed working through his maps and asks most days if he can go on Reading Eggs.  The program is easy to use and navigate and although it is online it is safe and advertisment free. 

All in all I found it to be a good solid reading program. I may consider using it for Eden once she finishes her current reading program.  It is a fun program to get kids excited about reading and would be a good for any child (home-schooled or not) who is ready to learn to read.

Pricing is as follows:

There is a 14-day free trial available, so there is no risk with Reading Eggs.  Subscriptions are available in the following options:

• 12 months for $75 (add a second or third child at 50% off)
• 6 months for $49.95 (add a second or third child at 50% off)
• Monthly for $9.95

To learn more about Reading Eggs, be sure to visit their website.  Take a look HERE to see what other families thought of Reading Eggs!

 Disclaimer:  As a member of TOS Crew review team, I was given short term access to the program in return for my honest (positive or otherwise) opinion of this product.

 

For the bad days...

Sometimes I read blogs where it seems like the author never has a bad day.  Life is perfect, their kids are perfect, the are the most crafty (in the arts and crafts sense), most spiritual, there homes are immaculate, and they never lose their cool.    It is so easy for bloggers, myself included, to only document the good times, the crafts that worked, the angelic behaviours of our kids.  Sometimes we live double lives.. the blog world and the real world. 
 
So it was refreshing to read this post a couple days ago... "When Motherhood feels like Misery".  I could completely relate to the young mother who wrote it.  Yes, I am admitting that there are days that I don't want to be a mom.   There are days that I sit and try and figure out how I can run away...seriously I do.   There are days I yell way too much, days that the house is turned upside down and I have no desire to turn it right way up, days that I am so overwhelmed that I can't think straight. 

Have you been there?

Praise God we don't have to stay there... God gives us these tough times so we can learn to trust him.

There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1: 6-7 NLT

 How is God teaching me to get through tough times?
 
I need to remember to stay in the race... This is the mission God has give me... he has blessed me with these kids and given me the role of mom and the task of raising them.  The  Christian life is not a sprint, it is a marathon... a long distance race.  When I am feeling down in the dumps, the one thing my husband always asks is "have you had your quiet time?" and strongly encourages me to do so if I haven't (Husbands... did you get that?  Lead and encourage your wives... I truly appreciate Joe's spiritual leadership).    I don't know about you but for me it is very easy to slack off bible reading and prayer time when I am feeling bad or having a rough time.  I have learned though, that this is the worst thing to do.  Just like marathon running,  if you stop moving, it is hard to get going again.   Even when it feels like you are just going through the motions, go through the motions!

It was during one of these"going-through-the-motions-times"  recently that God spoke to me through His word.  I was having a bad week.. one of those "how-can-I-escape" weeks.  I felt depleted... I knew that I was doing what God wanted me to but I was not really enjoying where he had me.  

 I was studying  Psalm 51 and I came across verse 12.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

 Sometimes I try to fix how I am feeling but this verse was reminding me to ask God to restore and sustain. He provides a willing spirit to sustain me.  I was meditating on this for a while and then I read on to the next verse.  King David, the psalmist wasn't asking for the restoration of joy and to be sustained by God only for his own personal satisfaction... read it...

THEN I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

 
As I meditated on this I changed verse 13 to say this:

Then I will teach my kids your ways so that my kids will turn to you. (they are transgressors and sinners that need to be turned to God right?!) 

This was such a reminder to me of why I am doing what I am doing.. to teach my kids they ways of God so that they will turn to him.  If I keep that as my focus instead of how hard it is, I can keep going.

In addition to staying in God's word, trusting him and focusing on why I am doing what I am doing, I have learned some other ways to get through those tough motherhood days and weeks:

Know when to take a break.  Some days when things are not going well, I call it quits, I put on a dvd for the kids and give myself a time out.

Examine your  schedule.   If you are feeling frazzled, chances are you are doing too much.  I tend to have overly high expectations of what can get done in a day.  We have to learn how to manage our expectations.   Someone once told me "There are a lot of things that are good to do but not everything is BEST for you and your family."  Get in the habit of weeding out the things that are only good and ask God to help you determine what is best.

Don't compare yourself to anyone.  God has made you who you are and has a specific will for you.  We all have a different calling, different gifts, different strengths and weaknesses...and that is okay! 

Have a support system and know when to ask for and accept help.  We want to see ourselves as superwomen and try and do it all ourselves.  Society and culture have taught us that strength is in independence... I can do it by myself, I don't need anyone. We see it as a flaw to ask for help or accept it when offered. It is not strength, it is pride.  Whether it is calling a prayer partner to pray for you or asking someone to watch the kids for an hour or two so you can get away or saying yes when someone comes to visit and offers to wash your dishes... learn how to ask for and accept help.  

Motherhood is the toughest job I have ever had, it is a high calling and thankfully one I don't have to do alone and neither do you.  If you are frazzled, stressed out, not enjoying the journey call on God to restore and sustain your joy.  He is faithful to answer.


 Be blessed,
 

Our Week in Pictures: The Great Outdoors

I am trying to do a better job at capturing our life in pictures this year.   This week we spent a lot of time outside (taking advantage of this mild February!!)

Micaiah: "You can grow a kid in these pots!"

Come with me...

Marcus: "Do I have to be here"

visiting the Wheddons

cluck cluck...

Eli giving Marcus a Pillbug (Rollie Pollie)

Moo...

Valentine Party

y.u.m.

seesaw up and down...

varoom...

wheee...

swinging high...

cutie patootie

boy time at the park

Princess

helping Daddy put air in the car tires