Hearthside Homeschool Reviews...and More

Lets Make A Web Page! is an e-book designed for 8-12 year olds. It is written directly to the student and makes creating a web site easy and fun!

The web page your child will create is based on an interview of someone they know. The author, Phyllis Wheeler, provides a few simple questions and your child has the opportunity to develop their interview skills before turning the information received into a simple web page, using the 30 day free trial period of Coffee Cup software. She walks them through, step by step, and even tells them what NOT to do on the internet. She suggests, and I agree, that the parent be with the child when searching on the internet and suggests ways to search safely.

Phyllis Wheeler has also written Computer Science Pure and Simple, which we have owned and enjoyed for a couple of years now. I was happy to have the chance to review one of her products. She has a wonderful knack for talking to the student in a way that is easy to understand and follow. This e-book is no different. That's what I love about this e-book, it takes a complex subject and makes it seem easy and fun. I'm all about making learning fun!

Let's Make A Web Page! usually sells for $29.99. Currently, there it's at an introductory special price of $19.99. She's so convinced you will enjoy the e-book that she offers a 30 day money back guarantee. You can't go wrong with that!

Puppetools is a web site whose goal is to "advance the language of play". Their missions statement is wonderful, "Our mission is to open the door to sweeping change in education by advancing the principle of play in teaching and learning. The world still looks to America for inventive social, economic, and technological solutions. Once, America's gift to itself --and to the world--was a bold new experiment in political freedom. America's next gift--again for itself and for the world-- can and must be a bold new leap in education."

That's a bold mission, and an exciting one. I personally think that this is something much needed in our academic obsessed nation. Jeffrey Peyton offers pages and pages of research showing that play is an important part of a child's development and education. The site also includes basic templates for puppets, including a hinge design, so that you and your children may create and design your own puppets. There are forums available for discussion of how to use play and puppets in education.

Most homeschoolers recognize the importance of play in their children's education, but this seems to be a good site for traditional school teachers to turn to when adding play into the classroom. Although I agree that play and learning go hand in hand, the worldview of the site owner is based on evolutionary science and sometimes tends to run toward the mystical. I wasn't personally comfortable with everything I read, but do think this could be beneficial to teachers who need documentation to fall back on to prove the benefits of play.

Puppetools is a subscription based site. A 60 days individual trial subscription is available for $20, or you can purchase a year for $99 and have up to 30 people in your user group.

We have a WINNER! I used a random number generator online to determine the winning comment and Kathy has won the package of Trigger Memory products.

The winning comment;
kathy said...
The times table looks like just what I need for my daughter who has language disorders and needs alot of visual to connect and learn.

Congratulations Kathy!

In my review of The Schoolhouse Planner, I mentioned the modules available for purchase each month as an addition to the planner. I hadn't had the opportunity to actually see one of these until now and I'm happy to say it is exactly what I had imagined.

The theme for December is "Let's Be Scientists" and there are a lot of fun activites and links here for a mini-unit on science. Topics include weather, simple chemistry recipes, the human body and senses, and a little taste of "grossology". There is a quiz, coloring sheets, and copywork included as well.

I love the idea of making our own slime. The invisible ink recipe looks fun as well. And I'd love to see if you really can make ice cream in a bag. I'm not really a chemistry kind of girl, who knew the chemistry experiments and recipes could be so fun!

For only $7.95 at the Schoolhouse Store, this e-book is a great addition to your planner or can be used on it's own as a mini-science unit (or as a starting point or an addition to a larger unit). I'm looking forward to seeing more of these in the future!

Aleks is an online learning system. Using artificial intelligence, Aleks assesses what a student does and does not know and determines what the student is most ready to learn, while making sure topics already learned are retained. It is like an online, AI personal tutor.

Aleks provides instruction mainly in the areas of math and science. This includes everything from 3rd grade math to Calculus. They offer courses such as Geometry, Trigonometry, Accounting, Physics, Chemistry, and Statistics.

What makes Aleks so different is that everything is individualized based on the students current knowledge base. The student begins by taking an assessment test, which reveals what the child knows and what they still need to learn. This is represented by a pie chart. From this pie chart, the student chooses from the areas he needs to learn and Aleks teaches the concept through practice problems. Aleks avoids multiple choice questions and vary the practice questions enough to be sure the student really understands the concept before it is marked as learned.

The demo of Aleks is done in a very futuristic manner and does a good job at explaining what this program is and what it has to offer. It is very clean and uncluttered, which will appeal to many. The individualization of the program and thoroughness in teaching is a huge draw. This would be a wonderful program for left brain learners or those looking for a serious math or science curriculum that keeps it simple in a very technologically advanced way.

There is a three-hour free trial available to try before you buy. Monthly subscriptions are $19.95 per student, or you can purchase six months in advance for $99.95 or a full year for $179.95. There is also a family discount program available for those purchasing the six or twelve month subscriptions.

Time4Learning.com is an online program providing complete language arts and math for pre-K through 8th grade. Science and Social Studies are added as a free bonus for many of the grades. Lessons are presented as fun, interactive educational games with lots of color and humor. These are based on public school curriculum through their software partner, Compass Learning.

Computers are a way of life today and I love that there are companies providing interactive, online programs for homeschoolers. My children love to be on the computer, whether its Webkinz or Runescape, and school becomes much more appealing to them in the form of online lessons that utilize games and humor. There are some homeschoolers who feel school should not be fun- this is not the program for them. If you're one, like me, who desires that your children love learning and you don't mind a little wacky humor now and then, then this should a product you enjoy!

I have shared in previous reviews that we are mostly a right-brained, hands-on kind of family. We love curriculum that is bright, colorful, story based, humorous, and interactive. Many online programs are just a tad too serious for us but Time4Learning has been a perfect fit. I have caught my children logging on during non-school times, just for fun. Their retention of what they have learned has been great, for the most part. And my daughter who struggles with reading has improved her skills through the Language Arts activities.

Setting up the program was easy. The lesson plans are already done, you merely choose the grade levels for each child in each subject and then they log on and begin. I needed to adjust the Language Arts grade level for the daughter I mentioned above and had no trouble bumping her down a level. Each student has their own password and it's very easy for them to sign in and get started. Even my six year old can do it on his own. As the parent, I can check their progress anytime from their account. So far, it has been an easy to use program.

My biggest concern personally is that the program is based on the public school curriculum. One of my many reasons for homeschooling is to avoid some of the humanistic viewpoints coming from the public school. As a Christian, I do teach evolution as a theory but dislike it taught as fact and have to keep an eye out for evolutionary content in Time4Learning (and yes, there is evolutionary content throughout). While I don't mind much of what I call "Jr. High humor", there are times when it goes a little past what I am comfortable with and projects attitudes I'd prefer my children not copy.

That said, I hope to use Time4Learning for Language Arts and Math for my own kids during the next school year. Despite the concerns mentioned, I enjoy Time4Learning and think it's a good fit for those two subjects at this time. The ability to progress at their own pace, the interactive teaching, the built in grading and record keeping, and the fact that they can work independently in these two subjects is a huge blessing to me. This is a great solution for the mom of many if she has a couple of computers in her home!

There is a parent forum for members to discuss different ways they are using Time4Learning and they have recently added a forum identifying potentially controversial lessons so parents can determine for themselves if they'd like to have their children skip that particular lesson. There are also many helpful links to check out on their web site, including using this with Special Needs, the benefits of Online Math, and information on their Phonics Curriculum. You can also Try Out The Lessons!

Time4Learning is a monthly subscription. The membership fee is $19.95 for the first child and $14.95 for each additional child. New members enrolling with a credit card can try out Time4Learning for 14 days, risk-free. I always love free samples or trials, as this gives you the opportunity to try it out and be sure its something you like!

Trigger Memory Systems have created great tools to help frazzled parents! Their Clean & Flip charts help parents train their children to help with housework in a fun and organized way while Times Tales uses pictures and story to help children remember the more difficult multiplication facts.


The Clean & Flip charts include Zone Cleaning For Kids, Bedroom Cleaning For Kids, and Laundry For Kids. Zone Cleaning is a full color, laminated chart that takes your child step by step through the cleaning process. Even young children can follow the picture clues to help them remember the next step. Your child can check off each completed task with a dry erase marker (included with the chart!) which can then be erased when finished and reused the next time. There is even space for Mom to write in added or household specific jobs, as well as specific times for each job if desired. You can purchase Zone Cleaning for $17.95.

The Bedroom Cleaning and Laundry For Kids charts are spiral bound as well, but do not include laminated, write on pages. They do have pictures and step by step instructions . The Bedroom Cleaning chart uses the basket method for sorting through and putting away bedroom items. The Laundry For Kids teaches children how to sort, wash, dry, and fold laundry. They can follow the chart step by step, flipping the pages as each step in completed. They are available individually for $7.95 each or packaged with the Zone Cleaning for $29.95.

Sometimes children want to help but honestly don't know where to begin. Sometimes their version of clean is very different than the parents. These charts would be very helpful in making expectations clear and in laying them out in an easy to follow manner. This could be a huge help in cutting down the frustration level between child and parent when it comes to chores!

Times Tales is another great instructional tool from Trigger Memory. It's a mnemonic based program that teaches the upper times tables through story and pictures. It consists of a spiral bound flip chart that contains black and white drawings of numbers in different story illustrations. The combination of picture and story helps cement the math fact into the brain. It's somewhat difficult to explain, so I will share the sample picture from their website.


Times Tales is a product I already own and enjoyed. I am not a math person. As I've stated in previous reviews, I am more right brain oriented and most of my children take after me. Even as an adult, I have difficulty recalling the higher math facts. I learned right along with my children as we went through this program. It was quick, fun, and it works. My only complaint would be that I would love to see it published in full color, as this would make it even more appealing to right brain learners.

There have been improvements made since we purchased this product. It now comes spiral bound with a full color cover and includes helpful extras. You get the flipchart and an instruction manual which includes multiplication and division flashcards, story discussion guide, and a cube game for $29.95. I noticed on their web site that they also have a mini-flip chart available to add for $5 more. Cute!

Since this is a product I already own, I am excited to announce my first blog giveaway! Leave me a comment letting me know why you think these products would be great for your family and be entered to win Times Tales, Zone Cleaning For Kids Flip Chart, Bedroom Cleaning For Kids Flip Chart, and Laundry For Kids Flip Chart. A winner will be drawn randomly on December 18th. Mention this giveaway on your blog for an extra chance to win (just leave a second comment linking your blog post).

Core Learning publishes educational software, books, projects, and online learning applications. Their desire is to provide products that support higher level thinking and life skills. Through the use of technology, they want to encourage learning in the area of math, English, language arts, health, art, and technology itself. They offer many award winning products through their web site, Core-Learning.com

I received a sampling of products and a full version of Crayola Art Studio. We owned an older version of Crayola Art Studio several years ago and my entire family was psyched to hear we would be receiving the newest version. This is a great digital draw and paint program. It’s fun, easy to use, and highly recommended! They even have a feature where you can import your own photos and have fun with them (just make sure you save a copy of the original or Mom may end up with a permanent mustache picture!). At only $24.95, this is a lot of fun for the whole family.

They also provide a more serious graphics and drawing program entitled Corefx. I have not seen this myself but it states that it comes with three levels and includes photo editing and animation tools. This is available for $59.95. Core Mind Master is a challenging mind game, $14.95, while Core Learning Math Builder, English Grammar, etc. seem to be more text book software programs. These sell for between $20-$50 and are all available to check out on their web site, along with much, much more!

Peterson’s Directed Handwriting is unlike any handwriting program I have come across in the past. It is based on research showing that the trace & copy method is a poor substitute for motor control science. Its foundation is movement, recognizing handwriting as a psychomotor skill, and focuses on the “how” of writing as a fluid motion rather than simply the drawing of letters.

The website contains many, many articles sharing the research and thought process behind the Peterson method. It is highly recommended that you read through everything on the site to help you understand what this method is and to help you determine how this may fit your family. Once you’ve read through the multitude of information, they are very happy to help you personally decide what levels would best meet your child’s needs. It seemed to me that the heart of this company was in helping children to have legible handwriting skills, especially those who may struggle in this area.

I read through the site myself and was very excited to receive the material, as handwriting was one skill I am determined to see improved in my children this year. Unfortunately, my excitement dimmed when I received the package. I found the Teacher Handbook somewhat difficult to follow, the material visually unappealing, and the program to be extremely classroom based. Peterson’s focuses on position in teaching fluency of movement and comes with desk position guides and suggestions for proper posture at the students desk. We do not have desks at home, we use the kitchen table, and so this was somewhat discouraging. I found myself less motivated to really get into the program.

The design of the program is that the student does not use the pencil until fluency of movement is achieved. Each letter is made up of certain movements and they trace these with their fingers, in the air and then in the book. The goal is natural movement, making handwriting second nature to the child. I really love the idea of this and think this would be especially wonderful for the student who struggles with writing. While the program seems somewhat difficult to learn to use, the research behind it and the assumed results would be worth taking the time and effort. I may take a second stab at it myself in the future.

I received the Third Grade complete packet, which included a Teacher Handbook, a Pupil Book, Two Triangular Pencils, an Animated Letter Cards Cd Rom, and two self-adhesive position guides (for the desk). This is available on the website for $15.05. As noted before, they are very helpful when emailing to ask for direction in what to order, so be sure to make use of the personal service. That is an added blessing!

Diane Spears, an artist who holds a doctorate in Christian Education, has written complete art curriculum for both high school and elementary. She is a state certified teacher who has taught in both public and private school settings. Now that she has "retired", she is dividing her time between writing curriculum and her own artistic endeavors.


Spears Art Studio High School Art Survey: A Study From a Christian Worldview is a one year course containing 36 lessons. These cover elements of art such as line and shape, shape and space, space and volume, color, color and texture, form, and printing processes and graphic design. These are set up in units, with an introduction to each element included at the beginning of the unit. There is also a very good introduction section at the beginning, which contains basic information on how the curriculum works, preparation suggestions, tips in evaluating artwork, and an excellent article entitled "Art Is Good For My Brain?".

This is one product I was very excited to have the opportunity to review. My oldest daughter loves art, she keeps an easel in her room and loves to draw as a hobby, but I knew she would need an art program easy to follow but challenging enough to keep her interest. I was hoping this would prove to be the one and I’m very pleased to say that it met all my expectations.

Author Diane Spears writes directly to the students in an easy to understand manner. Each unit contains an Introduction explaining the art element to be studied. Each lesson then contains vocabulary, objectives, a Scripture for copying into the student’s journal, suggestions for Art History (these usually involve a trip to the library so reading through the lesson in advance is recommended and very helpful), a Sketchbook assignment, Visual Memory Exercises, and Instructions and Activities. These are well laid out in individual boxes, making it easy to read and visually appealing.

As with the Elementary curriculum, there is a pdf file available on the web site, which will help in making the supply ordering easier. I have found art supplies to be quite pricey but consider it an investment in my daughter’s education, gifts, and talents. Thankfully the curriculum itself is reasonably priced at only $29.95,shipping included, for the cd-rom version. You also have the option of purchasing the hard copy for $69.95 or the hard copy and the cd-rom package for $84.95, shipping included for both.

The author generously provides a few free samples of the lessons, which is a wonderful way to get a taste for everything this curriculum has to offer. I am thrilled to be able to highly recommend this one and know this is a product we will continue using and loving in our home.

Diane Spears, an artist who holds a doctorate in Christian Education, has written complete art curriculum for both high school and elementary. She is a state certified teacher who has taught in both public and private school settings. Now that she has "retired", she is dividing her time between writing curriculum and her own artistic endeavors.




The K-8th Christian Art Curriculum provides activities for Grades K-8th for the months of September through May. There are plenty of helps for the teacher. Just a few of these are a Table of Contents, a Table of Themes By Week, a Skills Addressed page, Student Evaluation pages, a thorough Introduction complete with recipes and helps for teaching and critiquing art, and a complete Scope and Sequence.

Each month has a theme that often coincides with the season. For instance, the October Week #1 theme is HARVEST/SEEDS. The activities include a Pumpkin Sewing Card for Grade K, a Pumpkin Pocket (with Scripture Seeds) for Grade 1, a Seed Still Life for Grade 2, Drawing With Scissors (a still life collage) for Grade 3, a "Stained Glass" Still Life (using glue and pastels) for Grade 4, a String Design Apple for Grade 5, a Still Life Printing for Grade 6, Window Hangers for Grade 7, a Shaded Pencil Still Life for Grade 8, and Pontillism Fruit as an extra activity for Grades 3-8. This is just one weeks worth, complete with patterns, instructions, vocabulary, objectives, Scripture verses, and Art History ideas, and there are projects for every week for September through May.

I received this program on cd-rom, printed it off, and placed it in a large 3-ring binder. This is a huge amount of material and could be used for years. Although activites are provided for each grade level, those with larger families could easily choose the activites that fit their age ranges the best and work on projects together. I think this could be a one-stop shop for art curriculum and plan to use it for our family for a long time to come.

My one concern with both art and science curriculum is that if I don't have the supplies on hand, I won't go and track them down. I tend to just skip the activity (Yes, I am admitting it!). I love having the option to purchase a kit or bundle with all of the needed supplies. On the web page, there is a link to an art supplier and pdf files containing supply lists. This makes it easy to order your own personalized supply kit. Love it!

You have several choices in how you order the curriculum. It is available in cd-rom format for $39.95, shipping included. This is an incredible deal for all that's included. If you don't want to print the entire thing yourself, hole punch it, and place in binder as I did, you can purchase the combo package. This includes the material in hard copy with the 3-ring binder included AND the cd-rom version so that you may print pages as needed for your family. This is $134.95, including shipping, and is still an incredible deal in my mind.

There are FREE Samples available on the web site, which will give you just a taste of what is offered, as well as articles and parent helps that should help you decide if this curriculum is a good fit for your family. As always, check it out and let me know what YOU think!