Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Science 4 Us Review

A month ago, I was asked to review a online program called Science 4 Us.


It is an early elementary science curriculum. The curriculum is a standards-based science program found online. It is geared for Kindergarten to Second graders.
This program does follow the common core program. 

Being summer made it a little difficult to get fully into the program since the kids spend more time outside. We had a lot of thunderstorms causing us to lose Internet service quite a bit.
My kids also have a limited online and video game limit. They each get 2 hours a week during the summer and 1 hour during the school year. We might not have used this program as much as another family would have.


So here are thoughts...

Princess P was excited about trying the program.
She logged on and started playing the games the site had to offer.



The site is divided into different areas of science.
Physical, Life, Earth/Space, and Inquiry. 

The Physical Science deals with matter, energy, and force and motion.


The Inquiry deals with science tools.
The Earth and Space section deals with, you guessed it, earth and space.
The Living Science deals with living and nonliving things, plants, and animals.

She liked the Living Things area. She played the animal games more than anything else. This doesn't surprise me, since she has always been more interested in learning about animals and nature.
We also studied animals this year during the school year.
Some of the games she tried were easy to her. A few she even referred to as "little" kid games. The site is geared to K-2nd, she is a rising 3rd graders, so that was understandable. 

She did enjoy the earth and space section too. She was trying to learn a little about the topics we will be studying this year. She must be eager to get a jump on school this year.

I do know, she didn't enter the physical science area. She said that she wasn't interested in that.

She had fun playing the games and it was a great way to reinforce what she learned this past year. 
I liked that she was able to do the program by herself. It allowed me to work on other things, while she played the games.

At the end of the trial, I asked her what her thoughts were about it.
She said and I quote.."It's O.K."
She wasn't negative or positive in her tone.
I think she would play it for awhile and would lose interest in it.
She is not a big computer or video game player, so other children might find it more exciting.


I would recommend this program to parents as an add on to their curriculum. I would not rely on this program to teach my child all about science, but it's a good addition to already planned lessons.
 I like my children to read and get involved in their studies by doing projects, crafts, and experiments.
We are not a big computer/video game family.

Lego Man was a little disappointed that the program didn't go up to 5th grade. He's my big science buff. He would love to play and learn about science at the same time.
Maybe in the future...






*I was given a 1 month free trial of Science4Us for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or my families. I am letting you know of this to be in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Wordless Wednesday



The girls have started laying eggs, at least two of the have.





Our First Egg!

Friday, July 19, 2013

Our Weekly-Up

In our homeschool this week....Nothing! At least that is what the kids would say. I have been getting things organized for our Monday co-op and preparing lesson for our own schooling next year. I am making up lesson plans to go along with our Classically Catholic Memory book.  I am hoping to be done by August, which gives me a week. A WEEK!! Where did July go? Where has summer gone?

In our life....HOT! HOT! HOT! It has been scorching hot here. The temperature has been showing 100 degrees almost everyday. Even the cats don't want to go out.


Too hot to move


Her tongue sticking out says it all

We spent 2 days floating lazily in the pool.




Well, I guess I should say the kids have spent 2 days playing the pool. Mama picked beans first and then jumped in the pool to cool down. Picking beans when its 100 degrees out is not fun., but the beans were excellent with dinner. I love our garden.



Lettuce and Carrots.
They are in pots so the furry, little cottontails don't eat them.



Lego Man's corn.
It's now up to my shoulder, so almost 5 ft. tall.

What the kids are reading... Lego Man is reading Peter Pan.




 It's from his list of books to red for the upcoming school year. I suggested it last year but he wasn't interested. Now, suddenly he is!

Princess P is reading various books from our own shelves....Fancy Nancy, The Berenstain Bears, Amelia Bedelia, and the Magic Tree House series.

What I am reading.....The Rules of Saint Benedict. You can find a free online version here

What the kids have been up to...Creating and playing with Legos. They have created homes, houseboats, reenacted battles from the Vietnam War (Lego Man was reading books about the war, so everything has been about it).





Our little homestead....The chickens are getting big, but still no eggs yet. The dog no longer chases them, however the cats still try to pounce on them. The chickens are winning that battle so far.




I am really enjoying the girls!

What I am praying for....my grandaddy. He is 92 years old. He has had some swelling in his leg and foot making it difficult to walk. He's been in a wheelchair for the past week. He was hospitalized and is being treated with fluids and antibiotics. He seems to be improving. I hope he is able to go home soon. 


Blessings,
Monique



Friday, July 5, 2013

Our Weekly Wrap-Up


In our homeschool this week.... We took a break this week. No English, Math, or Dolphin unit study. The kids played and had days filled with free time. They painted. They chased frogs, fireflies.
Played with army men, dolls, rode bikes (when it wasn't raining), and basically created a mess wherever they went. But the most important thing is that they had fun.

They did continue reading for the summer book program our library is doing. We went to the library this week and they looked in the book box to get their prizes and found nothing. Sadly, the book box was a little lacking and neither kid found anything. We had the same problem last year too. A lot of the books are "trash" and the kids know mama will not let them read it. In Lego Man's box, over half of the books were vampire books...ugh! So I made a deal with them both. For every 6 hours they read, they will get $5 instead of a book from the library. I already owe both of them $10. The funny thing is that have been only counting the time they read before bed. They have forgotten about the time they read during the day and in the car. I'd be broke already if they counted that.

In my life this week....We finally found a facility for our co-op!!! One of the churches we spoke with wanted $1000 a month...um, I could rent a house and live in it for cheaper than that. I took that as they really didn't want us there. Why couldn't they be up front and just say that!
So know that we have a facility, the other 4 ladies and I have been working hard on the curriculum. We are following Classically Catholic Memory, but are adding lesson plans to help families follow it at home during the week. I worked on Science earlier in the week. I now have art to plan. The other ladies are working on the other subjects. I am so thankful for these wonderful ladies.
We are looking forward to the upcoming year!

What we have been up to....Relaxing. We spent the 4th at my in-laws. We had a barbeque and the kids swam in the pool.


 The storms held off most of the day. There were a few showers, but the kids were able to swim in the rain. They thought it was quite fun to swim in the rain. 




For dinner, we had burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, macaroni salad, corn on the cob, and cantaloupe.




Once it got dark, we headed outside for some firework fun.





Our little homestead update....the chickens have been getting big. So far, no eggs yet. We think we will have our first eggs by the end of the month. We can't wait.


They follow us around and love to have company. As soon as we step outside they surround us clucking away. We know each girl by sight and their personalities. Sunshine is the head hen. It's probably because she is the biggest. I can't believe that we have had them for almost a month now.

What I am reading....Art history books and various books on artists and art techniques. I am preparing the lessons for our upcoming school lessons for our house and co-op. Exciting stuff!

What the kids are reading...Lego Man is reading the Dear America series. He is currently reading



Princess P checked out all the Fancy Nancy books out at the library or at least it seems like that to me.











Linking up with....The Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up7 Quick TakesFriendship FridayNo Ordinary Blog HopHomeschool Review, Family Fun Friday, and Live and Learn

{pretty. happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life~

round button chicken
Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter
{pretty}

A pretty kitty relaxing in the shade


Summer flowers in full bloom.


{happy}

A windy day brought kites out to play.





{funny}

The kids had fun flying the kites and the cats had fun chasing the kite tails.


Hunt, Stalk, Leap and Snatch!




Everyone had a great day.



{real}

Rain, rain, and more rain.

Every afternoon here has had a random thunderstorm.



Trying to get to the pool has been a little crazy.
When we think it looks nice, a nice dark cloud will roll in and the skies open up.

Linking up with....
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