Taking time to enjoy the day

 
Today has been such a beautiful day. While most people are dealing with snow and ice, we’ve had temps reaching the mid 60s. I'll be honest and say I'm a little jealous of those getting snow. But, since it was so nice outside, beside everything being super wet from all the rain that arrived last night, my hubby talked me into having a relaxed approach to school today. So, my girls enjoyed mechanics class with their dad; spending the morning and early afternoon working on the go-carts and then cruised around on the back trail until it was time to eat and get ready for church.


They had a blast and it allowed me to work on a few reviews I have due throughout February. Stay tuned to hear about our thoughts and experiences with Dig It! Games, The Curiosity File - MSRA, Kid Scoop, and Math Rider.

Hope everyone has an amazing night!!
Much love!

Silpada Jewelry! Come join the Virtual Online Jewelry Party!!

I’ve fallen in love with Silpada Designs Jewelry and would love for you to get hit by the Silpada cupid too!

Celeberate the month of Love with me by joining our "Virtual Online Jewelry Party"!  Silpada is hand crafted, sterling silver and semi-precious gems! Silpada is so confident in their product that they offer a

LIFETIME guarantee!

On a budget?? We have over 200 items in the catalog that are under $50 and 75 items that are under $25!

Click HERE to view the online catalog and then contact me or Karla to place an order!

For everyone that purchases an item, you will be entered into a drawing for a free pair of earrings and a polishing cloth!

Orders will be taken from today until 2/6/2011 8pm. Door prize winner will be announced on 2/7/2011.

Blog Walk

1. Homeschooling In Nova Scotia, Canada 
2. Clever Title TBA

3. Until the Day Dawn Weblog

4. RubySlippersSchool

5. Smooth Stones Christian

6. Clothesline Musings

7. Four Little Penguins

8. Laurie's School Days

9. Sunshine to Flowers

10. One Big, Healthy Family

 

Come join me on my weekly blog walk.

TOS Review: The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids

Title: The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary For Kids 

Publisher: B&H Publishing Group

Price: $14.99

     When I heard I was chosen to write a review for “The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids” I was pleased, but I wasn’t real sure what to expect. However, when the book arrived in my mailbox, I was thrilled and could not wait to sit down and start reading and looking through it.
“The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids” is geared for ages 5-10; however, I feel it is a great benefit to anyone, regardless of age. It offers over 2oo pages chalked full of more than 750 bible terms and over 500 beautiful full-color photographs, maps, reconstructions, illustrations, and charts. This dictionary helps bring to life what we read in the bible by showing our children that the things, places, and events we read about really do exist or at least did at one time. Each entry also tells us where we can find it in the bible. Example: “Golgotha – is the place where Jesus was crucified. John 19: 17.”

Did you know Isaac means laughter and that he was one of the patriarchs of Israel? Or that locusts infested the land of Egypt stripping it of all plant life?

Make your purchase today and read more about Issac, Locusts, and SO MUCH MORE!!

Be sure to take a peak at the beauty inside this amazing dictionary!    

“The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids” is a real hit in our house! We love it and I believe you will too!

To purchase a copy for yourself, a friend, or loved one, go to  Lifeway Christian Stores.  

Be sure to check out what my fellow TOS Crew Members have to say.

Disclaimer: I’m an independent contractor for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Crew. I received "The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary For Kids" from Lifeway Christian Store in exchange for my honest review.

13 years ago today...

Where has the time gone? 13 years ago today I became Mrs. Bartelmey. My hubby and I have had many ups and downs in our marriage, but by the grace of God we have worked through the challenges of life and continue to grow closer and more in love.
I’m so thankfully God allowed our paths to cross so many years ago. I am beyond blessed! Not only do I have a wonderful husband who is still head over heels in love with and reminds me of that daily, but we have two beautiful daughters, who I have had the opportunity to stay home and raise since birth, and now homeschool. What more could a girl ask for?!  Thank you, Father God!!

TOS Review: Virtual Nerd

Title: Virtual Nerd

Format: Online Math and Science Tutoring Website
Price: VN offers 1 day, 1 week, monthly, and 3 months subscriptions options.

Prices vary based on subscriptions

What is it?

Virtual Nerd offers online tutoring for grades 7-12 in Pre-algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Intro Physics. In the near future Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus will also be available.  It is a great alternative to hiring a tutor near you. No scheduling conflicts or putting off school work until the tutor arrives. Simply log on anytime day or night and choose from a multitude of video tutorials.  The tutorials are taught by well educated, knowledgeable, tutors who explain in great detail everything from how to solve inequalities with rational numbers, to understanding forces and equilibrium, and SO much more.  Although Virtual Nerd is designed with public students in mind, I feel it is a wonderful asset to any classroom.

Description from site:"Need help with algebra functions, solving inequalities or with complex topics in physics? You’ve found the web’s best interactive video tutorials. And we’re ready when you are!

Especially when it comes to math and science, there's no telling when or where you'll need help. What are the odds your teacher or a tutor will be available when the need arises? That's why we built Virtual Nerd! We use our patent-pending e-learning platform to provide anytime, anywhere access to online tutorials."

Here are 3 sample videos.

VN offers a neat feature called the "Textbook Search." If your textbook is the Prentice Hall: Algebra 1, Holt: Algebra 1, Glencoe: Algebra 1, or the McDougal Littell: Algebra 1 book, then you have the ability to choose which lesson within each chapter you are working.  This makes it much easier to find which tutorial you need.


What are my thoughts? 
My daughter and I both really like Virtual Nerd.  I like the ease in finding which tutorials we need and how thoroughly each concept is explained.  My daughter really enjoyed the teachers' enthusiasm and style of teaching.  She was able to understand the few different concepts she previously struggled with.



I feel Virtual Nerd will greatly benefit anyone who is looking for a knowledgeable tutor without the high price tag.  To learn more about VN or to subscribe, click HERE. 

Be sure to check out what my fellow TOS Members have to say.

Disclaimer: I’m an independent contractor for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Crew. I received a premium member account with Virtual Nerd in exchange for my honest review.

TOS Review: See-N-Read Reading Tools

Title: See-N-Read
By: CadenaSmith Enterprises
Price:  Starting at $2.99 

What is it?

See-N-Read is a unique reading tool designed to help readers of all ages, see, focus, and remember what they have read. It is made of polypropylene material, making it flexible, yet sturdy. It has a non-glare tint and is transparent with blue, gray, and violet hues, which helps reduce glare on the page.
There are a couple different forms and sizes to choose from. There is the See-N-Read, MemoryMark, and the eSee-N-Read. The See-N-Read itself comes in book size (5 1/2" by 3") and document size (8 1/2" by 3"). The book size is great for reading chapter books, paperbacks, etc, while the document size is great for reading documents, textbooks, picture books, etc.

The MemoryMark comes in book size and is a great tool for highlighting and/or writing notes. It has an open window to allow you to "memory mark" important information.

The eSee-N-Read is an online tool you can download and use while you read on your computer.

 

Description from the site:
See-N-Read® is a practical reading intervention tool....designed to help readers seamlessly see, focus, and remember what they read. It reduces word- and line-skipping and pattern glare.

See: See-N-Read® helps readers to concentrate on and track the text being read while smoothly transitioning between the words that come before or after, thus helping readers to increase their fluency (the capacity to read text accurately and quickly) and comprehension.

Focus: See-N-Read’s clear reading window is surrounded by a non-glare tinted transparent finish that helps readers to focus on manageable “chunks” of information in each line of text.

Remember: See-N-Read® provides readers with a clear reference point that helps control smooth eye movements across the text on a page. Smooth eye movement from left to right and smooth transitions from line to line ("sweeping") enhance retention of information.


My Thoughts:
The See-N-Read and eSee-N-Read are really neat reading tools.  One of my daughters and I both have a difficulty with our speed of reading, focus, and comprehension.  Now, while my daughter feels she doesn’t need the See-N-Read and thinks it is bothersome to use, I really like it and find it to be very beneficial.  For years I’ve had a hard time with how I see the words on the page, the page looks as though I’ve stared into a bright light prior to reading.  And for as long as I can remember, when I read I have to read and register each and every word on the page, otherwise I’m unable to retain the information.  So, with both of these aspects against me my ability read quickly, focus, and comprehend what I’ve read, is greatly compromised.  Thankfully, the See-N-Read is really helping me in these areas.  I will continue to use the See-N-Read and hopefully I can convince my daughter to use it as well.

If you would like more information and learn about the incredible amount of research that has gone into creating the See-N-Read, click HERE.

Make your purchases HERE. 

 Be sure to check out what my fellow TOS Crew Members have to say. 

Disclaimer: I’m an independent contractor for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Crew. I received See-N-Read from CadenaSmith Enterprises in exchange for my honest review.