This isn’t the case with KinderBach.

“KinderBach provides a solid music foundation for the children while, at the same time, overlapping and enhancing basic math and language skills.”  Designed for beginners, ages 3-7.  It is good education.

Karri Gregor is the fun, energetic author, illustrator and educator of KinderBach.  She uses memorable piano pals, Frisco, Dodi, and friends, to teach note reading, rhythm, singing, composition, and more, reinforcing the value of each lesson with coloring pages, worksheets, and games.

Piano for young children. The lessons are child-friendly, quick and easy!  More than 240, 10 minute lessons, achieving 6 levels.  DVD/CD packages starting at $40.45 +s/h or an instantly accessible online subscription for $95.88 per year.  That makes it good education within budget!  That’s just $7.99 per month or less than 30 cents a day for a music tutor, no scheduling conflicts and no gas money.  I didn’t even factor in the 30% off  you can get, until February 2013, when you use coupon code TOScrew2012.

I first discovered KinderBach last year, and since then there have been some exciting changes.  You can still use the program on your computer, even streaming to your TV, but now, you can also use it with iPad, Android Tablet, Nook, or Kindle Fire!

They still have their 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, plus all DVD’s & CD’s have a lifetime replacement if damaged for any reason.  There’s really no risk because KinderBach also offers a two week free trial, before you pay for anything.

Take a few minutes to follow the links I’ve posted here, to the KinderBach website.  It’s simple to navigate and full of great information!

Still have Comments or Questions?

Contact:

Email – info@KinderBach.com

Phone – 563.332.0587

Write -

KinderBach LLC

P.O. Box 181

LeClaire, IA  52773

or 

facebook

You can also choose from nearly a hundred other reviews, viewpoints, written by my crew mates, when you click the graphic below.

I think learning is simply fun and affordable with KinderBach at Home.

Blessings,

This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog.  The opinions expressed are my own.

*Contents of this blog are copyrighted;  they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.

In December, I had the opportunity to take my children to hear the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.  The youngest, especially, were amazed to hear and see the instruments at the same time.  I loved watching them, as they heard a new sound, searching to find the instrument it was coming from.  It was a wonderful experience.

“Listening to symphonic music allows a child to listen to the sounds that various instruments make and then make an informed decision on which instrument they might like to try playing.”  It’s true.  My child could envision herself playing the flute.  Actually, she mimicked playing it throughout the entire concert.  I don’t know if she had even seen a flute before then.

Maestro Classics is classical music for kids.  It is geared for children ages 6 – 12.  The music is performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

They have 9 productions available:

Peter and the Wolf

The Soldier’s Tale

The Story of Swan Lake

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

My Name is Handel: The Story of Water Music

The Tortoise and the Hare

Casey at the Bat

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Juanita the Spanish Lobster

Each CD is $16.98 or purchase a MP3 download for $9.98.  Nearly an hour of music, by brilliant composers, narration and background information.

Comments or Questions?

email ~

info@maestroclassics.com

write ~

Maestro Classics

P.O. Box 688

Falmouth, MA  02541

call ~

888.540.2811

or

508.548.2811

and

facebook

Read other reviews by clicking the banner below.

Blessings,

This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog.  The opinions expressed are my own.

A Younger Child:  “Hey, Momma, did you know that all of the Anderson’s have the flu?”

ME:  “I didn’t.  When you talk to Katie, find out if they need anything.”

Younger Child:  “Okay.”

An Older Sibling:  “Did you know that our great-great-grandmother died from the flu?  Nana was born in 1912, so she was only six when her mom and her little brother died in 1918.”

ME:  “The worst plague in America was the Influenza Epidemic of 1918.  More people died from the flu in that year than died in all of World War I.”

Younger Child:  “She was younger than me.”

ME:  “She was.  Then, her dad died when she was just 12.  She was your sister’s ages living through The Great Depression.”

Older Child:  “1929-1939 or 41, or something?”

Younger Child:  “What’s The Depression?”

ME:  “I’ll tell you what, after breakfast, I’ll show you some pictures of kids during The Great Depression.  I’ve got a book, someplace.  I’ll find it.  It’s called Children of the Great Depression.  Just the photographs will give you a good idea of what The Great Depression was, but we’ll talk about it, too.”

At this point, my brain is charging ahead with plans for today and tomorrow, and beyond.

THINKING:  “I’ll make breakfast a little hardier than I initially planned, so I can just give them bread & water for lunch.  Seriously, hunger was real during The Depression.  Maybe we’ll follow a bare-bones-potato-soup recipe for dinner and eat by the light of an oil lamp.”

I know my older ones read The Great Depression, America 1929-1941, by Robert S. McElvaine, but the mids haven’t, yet.

THINKING:  “I’ll pull that out and we can read excerpts from it, to everyone, but they can work on reading the whole thing, themselves, over the next week.  They’ll definitely need to start a vocabulary/spelling list.  I have some Penmanship/Copywork pages I can add for the younger ones and an essay assignment for the oldest.”

DANCING INSIDE MY HEAD:  I can download an instant e-Book from Zeezok Publishing!  One of their Z-Guides to the Movies for the Depression era.  I’m pretty sure they have one for Kit Kittredge, and since we already own the movie we could actually work on it this week.  They love that movie, but with the Z-Guide they’ll see it in a whole new light.”

Books, movies, the internet.  The library, Netflix, museums.  I use them all.  Anything and everything that I can get my hands on and afford, that will stimulate my children’s desire to learn and successfully educate them.

Zeezok Publishing has been providing materials for the homeschooling community since 1993.  They’ve published government and history texts, and sixteen classic biographies on the great composers.  In 2010 they introduced us to Z-Guides to the Movies.

Each Z-Guide is developed for a specific movie.  We’ve found many of the movies at our local library; most are available for rent on Netflix, Zeezok sells a few and some you may already own.  There are more than 30 Z-Guides available, now, and another 25 are due to be released in the spring.

$12.99 gives you access to an instant e-Book download, of your choice, or you can have a CD shipped.  Many topics and time-periods are covered -

 Ancient Civilizations

Ancient Egypt

Ancient Greece

Ancient Rome

Medieval Europe

16th, 17th, 18th & 19th Century Europe

American and French Revolution

Westward Expansion

War Between the States

The Roaring Twenties and The Great Depression

World Wars 1 & 2 and Post-WW2

and the Vietnam War

You’ll get a topic, time-period overview; a movie synopsis, giving you an understanding of the relationship between characters, events and situations.  A list of review questions to be discussed and answered as the movie is being watched, and additional activities prompting research and writing.  My favorite section of every Z-Guide is the Filmaker’s Art and Dramatic License Activity.  I do not have the ready knowledge that I find in this section.  Even as my children are learning, so am I.

“The Filmmaker’s Art activity helps the student recognize the tools being used to influence the viewer.”  Without the Z-Guide, I don’t always discern these as clearly.  “The various guides discuss how filming techniques, music, lighting, humor, character development, irony, foreshadowing, and even character names are used by the director and producer to influence the viewer to get their agenda across.”  Z-Guides to the Movies has changed the way we see a movie and that’s their goal.  They “want the student to be able to discern not only the agenda of the movie, but also how they are being influenced by it. The goal is that when the student goes to the theatre and watches a movie, he walks out not thinking it was an entertaining movie, but understanding the bigger message behind each film.”

My children are enhancing their critical thinking skills.  Besides movies, they now look at reading material differently, and also examine the influence and impact they may have on others with what they personally write or visually and musically produce.

I think  Z-Guides are impressively thorough.  In 2011, I used one with The Hiding Place.  Click the link to read my review.

Recently, we did, indeed, use the Z-Guide for Kit Kittredge.  Written for elementary and middle school, it was easily adaptable to include our K5 through high school and adult.

Topics and Activities covered ~

The Great Depression

Journalism

Prejudice

Family Unity

and Hobo Life

It was a perfect wrap to an interesting study!

The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Review Crew has had the opportunity to review several different Z-Guides.  Click on the banner below to read what my crew mates thought of each one.

Comments or Questions?

Contact Zeezok Publishing

email -

info@zeezok.com

write -

P.O. Box 1960

Elyria, OH  44036

call -

800.749.1681

or

440.782.1193

and

facebook

The next time you study, tie everything together with a Z-Guide and a family movie night!

Blessings,

This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog.  The opinions expressed are my own.

I am not affiliated with Netflix and I receive no compensation for references.

*Contents of this blog are copyrighted;  they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.

I appreciate your encouragement.  Thanks for your comments.  PK

I was doing my best to make carefully thought out, prayed about, researched and counseled choices and decisions for my family.  What I saw as flexible, open and, willing to follow the leading of The Spirit, my brother perceived as irresolute, not constant and likely to change frequently, suddenly or unexpectedly.  Not a favorable light.  It was incomprehensible to me that he could think that lowly of me!

It was such a big deal to me, and yet, it was only a short time, a little maturity and, a dab of life experience that had him clearly understanding what I hadn’t been able to explain, as I had tearfully defended my battered honor.  Thinking back to 20 years ago, to the heart-drama of it, makes me smile wistfully.  It is amazing, the mole hills that we can make into mountains!  Such a simple issue, especially, in light of the vein of truth I’ve discovered in my brother’s observation.

I am fixed and steadfast in my commitment to homeschooling my children, but I am of a changeable mind; often fickle, as I seek out the best curriculum for each of them.  I might be sure I’ve found the best math program available, and six months later be able to honestly tell you I’ve discovered a new best.  Each child is different, time and circumstances change, and it seems there is a product being developed and released nearly every day.  I am firm in my purpose, but might appear fickly in my opinion of curriculum choice.  I’m okay with that!  I’m looking for exceptional and every time I find it- I’m sharing it with you.

Recently, I’ve found the best  R.E.A.L. Homeschool Spanish program!  Developed by Dr. Karyn Williamson-Coria, a mother, with her doctorate, on a quest to find the best foreign language study for her children.  This is “a program that enables parents to learn along with their child, a program that is easy to use and enables a home educator to help children use the language.”

“Most programs work on reading, writing, listening and pronunciation,” but have little interaction with others; rarely using the language.  “This program is built upon a conversational Spanish foundation” that promotes interaction and immersing the entire family in the language learning journey.  I found it easy to integrate into our already scheduled programming.  Notice the initialism ~

R.E.A.L.

Relax.  Enjoy.  Aspire.  Learn.

The goal, of learning Spanish and teaching it to my children, seems attainable, with R.E.A.L. Homeschool Spanish.  The education is apparent, but surprisingly, I also found encouragement and inspiration.

10 Units

covering 33 Vocabulary Clusters [groups of words that relate to each other]

with 15 Idea Sections [prompting ways to further learning]

and A Huge Activity Book [games, puzzles and more, to reinforce each lesson, with a minimum of stress and a lot of fun!]

Complete Audio Files

and A Daily Curriculum Guide.

Order the Book Bundle download for $49.95 or the hardcopy for $89.95.

For more information, follow the links highlighted throughout this post and click the graphic below to read what my TOS crew mates have to say about Homeschool Spanish.

Comments or Questions?

email:  support@realhomeschoolspanish.com

Will 2012 be the year your family learns Spanish?

Bendiciones,

This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks for sharing your comments.  I appreciate you.

*Contents of this blog are copyrighted;  they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.

The World’s Greatest Stories are quoted directly, word for word, from The Bible, and narrated by master storyteller, George W. Sarris.  These stories are true to the words of Scripture and they are dynamically, vocally illustrated by Mr. Sarris.  He captivates your attention, while The Word of God is being spoken into your Spirit!

Currently, there are six volumes available, in CD format:

1. The Prophets
2. The Life of Christ
3. Beginnings
4. Joshua and Esther
5. Joseph and His Brothers
6. Defeating Giants

23 stories covered in approximately 6 hours of audio!  Each CD is $7.95, and is available in the King James Version (KJV) and the New International Version (NIV) of The Bible.  The investment is minimal, especially in light of the eternal value.

Comments or Questions?

Contact:

email – GeorgeSarris@gmail.com

or

Engage The Culture! Blog

and

George W. Sarris facebook page

It’s my opinion that this is an outstanding Biblical resource!  You can read additional opinions, written by my TOS crew mates, when you click on the graphic below.

Abundant Blessings to you and yours,

This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog.  The opinions expressed are my own.

*Contents of this blog are copyrighted;  they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.

Fractazmic (TM) is a 60 card game of fraction-practice-fun!  Created for 1st-8th grades, and beyond!  It’s from I See Cards (TM), the maker of the award winning Pyramath (TM) game.

Using colorful cards, with easy-to-grasp graphics, it teaches fractions, numbers and measurement and there’s no dishes to wash!  My children learn to convert and add fractions, reinforce the relationship between fractions and measurements and show real world use of fractions, without the added expense of chocolate chips or vanilla bean ice cream!

There are three sets of color coded cards – sixteenths, twelfths, and tenths.  The object is to make sets of cards that equal one whole.  When a player has used all of his cards the game ends and the player with the most sets of 1 whole, wins.  We played this game, and others using this deck.  My youngest daughter’s favorite is Go Fish!  She learned to recognize the fraction on the card and the proper way to say it – one half, four sixteenths, etc., while enjoying the thrill of beating her older sister at a game!  Dr. Ron teaches Fractazmic Trap and Fractazmic Rummy in his free download, Math Success Booklet.

My view ~ “Educational fun for a fraction of the cost!”    Truly, the game is only $6.95 or play Fractazmic (TM) Speed Version online; if your speed is the fastest, you could win a free deck of cards.  Warning:  Online Fractazmic can become addicting.

If you have comments, questions, orders, need support or have an idea for new cards:

email – corporate@iseecards.com

You’ll find other reviews when you click the graphic below and read what my TOS crew mates have to say about I See Cards (TM) and Fractazmic (TM).

I hope you enjoy this game as much as we have enjoyed it.  My husband said, “Finally, a way for you to teach fractions without having to feed the neighborhood!”

Blessings,

This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog.  The opinions expressed are my own.

 Thank you for your comments.

*Contents of this blog are copyrighted;  they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.

I love Pitsco Education! They are the epitome of relevant, hands-on learning activities and they are dedicated to student success.

Pitsco has been a leader in education for 40 years.  They “offer a robust array of STEM-oriented [Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math] classroom solutions.”  Their classroom kits would work well for co-op groups, but they also have full line of individual, homeschool kits, available.  They care about their students, their teachers AND their reputation.  Therefore, they are constantly seeking to improve and expand their product line, “providing students with the most positive and meaningful experiences possible,” while maintaining an exceptional system of customer support.

Our most recent experience with Pitsco Education involved learning about and building a catapult and a trebuchet, using their Medieval Machine Pack.  It retails for $21.95, includes a Trebuchet Kit, Catapult Kit, Mass Plates, and the Seige Machines Book.

From the website:  “Teach basic math, science, and problem-solving skills. With this pack, your child learns about catapults and trebuchets through hands-on activities that cover three areas:

• Science: Tension versus torsion, elasticity, gravity and levers, and force and motion
• Math: Metric conversion, calculating averages, and prediction
• Experiments: Mass versus distance, testing rubber bands, targeting, and more.”

This pack is designed for use by Intermediate – Middle School age students, but all of us in my house, elementary through high school and adult, gained knowledge with this hands-on activity.  The kit activities did require some additional items such as measurement and hand tools, all of which we already had in the house.

Here’s a look at our catapult assembling journey ~

Contact:

Mail -

Pitsco Education

P.O. Box 1708

Pittsburg, KS 66762

Call –

800.828.5787

or

800.835.0686

For more detailed information about Pitsco, please, follow the many links I’ve included throughout this post.  You can also read other reviews, by my TOS crew mates, when you click the graphic banner below.

Take a few minutes and explore Pitsco Education.  It could have a positive impact on your curriculum at best and a definite influence on your Christmas list, in the least.

Blessings,

This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for your comments.  I’d love to hear about YOUR favorite Pitsco Education product.

*Contents of this blog and photographs are copyrighted;  they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.

If your child is not yet reading, or could use some sight-word reinforcement, I have the perfect game for you!  The Reading Game.

Designed for children ages 4 and up, it requires two players – the student and a tutor.  It is a fast paced memory game, it’s FUN, and the results are quick and encouraging!

Basically, it consists of 6 story books, illustrated in black and white sketches, and six color-coded decks of cards.  You begin with the cards.  There are 6 games per deck, introducing 5 new words per game or 30 words per deck.  The players match the words, and while doing so, the student-player learns to recognize and master them.

This video might give you a better idea of how it works -

When all of the words in a deck are learned, all through game play, the corresponding color book can be read.  The stories are well-written, they seem like “big-kid” stories.  The feeling of accomplishment by the reader is palpable!

When the first book, Skunk, is read, it means that 30 new words have been mastered, and 30 more, when the second book, Snake, is read, and so on, through all six books, until your child has a reading vocabulary of 180 words!  22 of the 25 most commonly used English words and 42 out of the top 50.  It’s no wonder children and parents get excited to play this game.

The Reading Game is a well researched, supplemental reading program, that promotes long term retention of words.  It is serious FUN!  It’s $24.95, and time, well spent!

For more information, follow the links I’ve provided to the website.

Questions or Comments – email – info@thereadinggame.com

call - 858.412.3442

or

write - Allsaid & Dunn

2727 De Anza Rd., Suite SD21

San Diego, CA  92109

Read other informed reviews of this product by clicking on the graphic below.

Blessings,

This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for your comments. 

*Contents of this blog are copyrighted;  they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.

Read Naturally is based on a structured program of:

1. Teacher Modeling – a proficient reader models correct reading for a less able reader.
2. Repeated Reading – “practice makes perfect,” or close, as it builds fluency and confidence.
3. Progress Monitoring – progress is tracked and used as motivation to read and improve.

Read Naturally products support and reinforce the 5 essential components of reading as outlined by the National Reading Panel – phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

We are using their newest, web-based, assessment & intervention program, Read Live.  Created for use primarily in schools and classrooms, I only noticed this during set-up, when I needed a school name, an administrator and a teacher.  Because it is nearly student-independent it adapts well to the homeschool environment.

This video takes you through a lesson of Read Live.

This is an excellent program!  My son is not thrilled with the repetitive readings, but he applies himself and he can literally see the value in it in the difference between his Cold Timing reading and his Hot Timing reading scores.

I really appreciate the Wordtastic vocabulary game that occupies the student while they’re “waiting for the teacher” during the Cold Timing and Pass steps.  The other day, I was trying to get lunch on the table and although I said, “I’m coming…I’ll be right there,” I wasn’t.  The time wasn’t lost though, because my son reviewed or learned 102 synonyms and antonyms during those extra minutes.

I wish there was more variety in the reading material for the lessons.  Especially, because there is so much repetition, what is being read tends to be absorbed.  If these were Bible verses he was reading, he’d have several memorized by the time he is finished.  As it is, parents with younger children should be aware that some readings (evolution) may not be what you want your child to “retain.”  My son is old enough to know what he believes; so, it isn’t an issue, but is not an option to skip any of the books.

For me, this is one of those vital programs that has to be broken down into bite-size pieces, in my mind, because it is expensive.  A 12-month subscription, for 1 student is $149.  I know the benefits, but…I still wrestle with the cost.  Then, with a little thought, I realize that for less than $.70 a day I can change my son’s life!  This calculation doesn’t put the money in my pocket, but it helps me justify the possible sacrifices.  The ability to read or not, with fluency and comprehension, can have a dramatic impact on an individual.  It is an investment in a child’s future.

Read Naturally Live does offer a 60-day FREE Trial.

Click the TOS graphic below to read additional reviews of this program and the One Minute Reader – home reading program, written by The Homeschool Crew.

Questions or Comments:

Contact -

Read Naturally, Inc.

2945 Lone Oak Drive Suite190

Saint Paul, MN  55121

email – info@readnaturally.com

call – 651.452.4085

or toll free – 800.788.4085

Blessings,

This product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for your comments. 

*Contents of this blog are copyrighted;  they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.

This one, I can’t even see clearly.  Thankfully, it’s typed, because if it were hand written it would be a mess.  My heart is so heavy and it’s tears won’t stop pouring from my eyes.

I am in agony over mothers beating, abusing and killing their children.  Every day, another story.  Some say it’s always been like this and it’s just being reported more often, now, but even if that’s true, honestly, it doesn’t make me feel any better for the children or their momma’s.  I know I can’t expect different from those that have no relationship with Jesus Christ.  I know that the heart of God grieves more than mine, but I figure, He’s God, He can take it.  I know Satan is afraid of the men and women these murdered children could have become.  My heart cries as if I’ve lost one of my own.  It literally feels unbearable.  I can’t breathe because of the pain.

I’ve always wanted to travel.  Load my family into a travel trailer and go.  See the country.  Show them God’s wonders and man’s handiwork.  But, I would gladly give up the possibility of that dream in exchange for a piece of land, with a big house, where those that are labeled:  unwanted and annoying, loud, crying and obnoxious could be dropped off before their mother’s can’t take anymore and beat them to death.  I wish I could build a “There’s Enough Love Here” House.

Stop killing your babies and let a me love on them for you, until you come to your senses, or forever if you’d rather.  I understand that you might be so hurt yourself that you’re empty of love and patience.  I don’t pretend to know your story, but I will not judge you.  I just want you to stop and listen to me.  There’s enough love here for you, too.  I don’t want to read or hear that you were just so tired of the inconvenience or the noise that you beat your child into silence.  I’m willing to help you.

I have no money, no land and no big house; so, needless to say, aside from praying and rattling the gates of Heaven on your behalf, I’m really of no help. But, I wanted you to know that I’m willing.  Someone does care.  Ask for help and if you’re turned away, ask someone else, and then someone else, until you find a me that can help you and your child.  You are not alone.

May God have mercy on us and forgive us our sins.

Abiding in Him,