A Homeschool Crew Review~ Digital Savvy from CompuScholar, Inc.

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As the kids have gotten older, I've realized that they needed to have computer skills. The courses they need to study are getting more high tech and more involved. I knew we needed to give Digital Savvy from CompuScholar a try!

CompuScholar offers public schools, private schools, and homeschoolers an opportunity to learn computer skills. The program is online, so it's very easy to use!  CompuScholar offers a variety of courses for students interested in computers. Courses Offered
Digital Savvy (6th-12th grade) Web Design (6th-12th grade) Game Programming with Visual Basics (6th-12th) Windows Programming (9th-12th) Java Programming (9th-12th) Unity Gaming Program (9th-12th) Android Programming (9th-12th) CompuScholar's online computer courses are a fantastic addition to your middle or high students transcripts. **This was an added incentive for us. The courses are ready to go, easy to use, and can be done in 1 or 2 semesters. The courses offer daily lessons and hands-on projects to complete.  Want to learn more about the various courses? Head on over to CompuScholar's Website for full descriptions.


For this review, we were given a one year subscription to the self-led Digital Savvy course. A one year subscription for this course is $120. Additional students (siblings) are $40 per student. This is a 2 semester course. It will run about 33 weeks (164 days). If you don't feel comfortable with your computer skills, you can signup for the teacher led Digital Savvy course. This course costs $300 for a year. The do offer monthly plans for the self-led and teacher-led course. Digital Savvy is a computer skill course that is geared for students in the 6th-12th grades. The course teaches students the basic computing topics and skills. The course covers..... Hardware, Software, and Operating systems Managing Files and Folders Basic Networking Online Safety Computer Security How to Use Word Processors, Spreadsheets, and Presentation Programs How to Create Simple Databases How to Edit Images How to Use Social Media and Email An Introduction to Web Design Simple Computer Programming Concepts and Careers in the Computer World The course will have students working through daily lessons and completing a hands on project with each chapter.

How We Used Digital Savvy from CompuScholar?
Set for Digital Savvy was easy. I set up the teacher's account on my computer, and then logged each child into their own accounts on their computers. We were recently gifted my father-in-law's old computer, so both kids now have their own computer for schoolwork! This is helpful, since now they can't argue over the computer anymore.  The teacher's account allows parents or teachers keep track of the lessons completed by the student and the grades they receive on the quizzes and tests.

You can choose between looking at the grade report for each student, a grade history for quizzes, and a single review for each individual lesson quiz. You can also look at and print out a user report which will calculate the students grade for the course. This is perfect for report cards and transcripts!

The kids had their student accounts to log into. Once the student logs in, they are presented with a page with a Digital Savvy logo on it. Students click on the logo and are immediately redirected to the Course Syllabus (or Chapters). The students then click on the appropriate chapter they are working through.

Once the Chapter page opens, students are then given the various lessons to work through. Students have a lesson video and a lesson text to look at. My kids watched the video first and then read the lesson. 

The lesson pages can be printed up if your student would like to create a notebook for review or reference.

After doing both of those things them clicked on the lesson quiz. The lessons are graded immediately for the students. If they did poorly on the test, I had them re-watch the video and reread the lesson. I made it a rule that they must get a 90% or higher to be able to more onto the next lesson in the chapter. The quizzes can be taken 3 times. After the 3rd time, an average of the grades is recorded. 

Digital Savvy is broken up into 25 chapters. Each chapter covers a different topic and is broken up into lessons. Some weeks have 6 lessons, while others may have more or less. Over the past few weeks, the kids have been working on the lessons at their own pace. Some weeks, they have completed 1-2, while others they may have worked ahead. Therese has had to repeat a few lesson since she scored poorly on the quizzes. What We Think of Digital Savvy from CompuScholar?
Obviously, we have not completed this program yet, since it is a year long course. So far, I have been impressed with the information presented. I am actually looking forward to seeing some of the upcoming lessons. I usually sit beside Therese as she works through the lesson, so I can answer any questions for her (and so I can a learn a little too).  Michael has been working through the course on his own. He hasn't asked any questions and so far has gotten a 100% on all the quizzes. He says he's enjoying the course. I like the independence he has been given with taking this course. I think he is enjoying ti too! I don't feel like I need to sit down with him and keep him motivated. He is doing that all by himself.  Digital Savvy is a wonderful online course that will give any young student a great (or better) understanding of computers. It really is a wonderful introduction course into computers. I wish I had taken a course like this when I was in collage.  I have a feeling that Michael will be asking to take more courses once we complete this one. Other members of the Crew reviewed Digital Savvy, Web Design, and Java Programming.  Want to learn more about theses programs and see what the crew had to say about them?  Click on the link below.

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Palm Sunday

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Palm Sunday is the final Sunday in Lent. It's the beginning of Holy Week and helps us remember the triumphant arrival of Jesus into the town of Jerusalem.


           


This Sunday, we will receive palms in Mass. Palms are a symbol of peace and victory. For moms with young children in Mass, the symbolism of the palms may be lost as we have to make sure no one gets poke in the eye or making sure no one is using them as a light saber. We always turn the palms into crosses. Of course, there are lots of fancier ways to display the palms too. Lacy at Catholic Icing has lots of beautiful ideas to display the palms. I love the Palm Roses.

        

As we head into this important week, I pray that we can reflect and draw closer to Jesus.  

Dearly Beloved, in Holy Week, when the most bitter sufferings of Jesus Christ, are put before us by the liturgy, the Church invites us to come to Calvary and follow in the blood stained footsteps of the Divine Redeemer, to carry the Cross willingly with Him, to reproduce in our hearts His spirit of expiation and atonement, and to die together in Him.

We ought to glory in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ in whom is our salvation, life, and resurrection.

Let Us Pray.

All powerful eternal God, You have chosen to give all mankind a model of humility. our Savoir took on our flesh, and subjected Himself to the Cross. Grant us the grace to preserve faithfully the lessons He has given us in His Passion and to have a share in His resurrection. This we ask of you through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son. 

Amen.

Till Next Time,

Monique

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Classically Catholic Memory Delta Year~ Week 7

Geography~
South America 
  

South America Blank Map
Argentina Flag Coloring Page
Argentina Map Labeling/Coloring Page

Since my kids are older, I like to test them on what they have been learning. I guess I'm getting them ready for high school and college!

Test on South American Countries



Latin~
Gloria

We are still listening to the Chant Cd for our Latin prayers and hymns. We love this beautiful Cd. Michael likes that they don't sing too high. It make it easier for him to sing along.

You can find out more how we study Latin here.

Religion~
The Mass

"It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do so without the Holy Mass."

~Padre Pio

While searching for information, I came across this fantastic site that provides an explanation of the requisites. vestments, vessels, and other items from the altar and sanctuary used during Mass. It's a wonderful resource for older children.

Mass Worksheets and Crafts

Make a Mass Mobile

Mass Kit for Kids

Science~
Flowers

Anatomy of a Flower Worksheet
Parts of a Flower Worksheet #1 
Parts of a Flower Worksheet #2
Parts of a Flower Craft


History~
The Civil War

This week we continued on with our Civil War lessons. We are still using the Time Travelers Study Guide from Home School in the Woods. We have had a great time working on the projects and  lap book. This week, we added some Catholic history to our learning. I wanted to show the kids that Catholics were a vital part of the Civil War too!

Catholics and the Civil War
Spotlight on Catholics in the Civil War
Onward Catholic Soldiers
New York's "Fighting 69"

Sister Anthony O'Connell
Angel of the Battlefield
Sister Anthony O'Connell (Article with a wonderful Slideshow)

A great book to read is From Slave to Priest: The Inspirational Story of Father Augustine. This a wonderful story about Father Augustine Tolton who was born into a Catholic slave family and went on to become one of the first African-american priests in the United States.


Great Words~
The Gettysburg Address

Lincoln at Gettysburg

Fletcher C. Ransom

1863

We are still working on this beautiful speech. It's amazing to think that a speech that took only a few minutes to deliver would last throughout the years.

Please Note~ This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you. 

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Traveling Thursdays~Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, MT

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The next stop on our cross country journey is Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana. The Little Bighorn Battlefield National monument commemorates the Sioux, the Cheyenne, and the  U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry. The battle at Little Bighorn was one of the Native American's last armed efforts to protect and preserve their way of life that was being taken away from them.

During the 2 day battle, it is estimated that 26 to 300 Native Americans died, while 263 U.S. soldiers died.

Driving up to the battlefield was very different for us. The highway we were driving on was long and empty. We only passed a few cars on the way. It wasn't like any highway we've ever been on in the east cost.

The landscapes were breathtaking. The blueness of the sky was spectacular. Back home the sky s never that blue. It actually reminded me of the sky when you are near the ocean. It's just a stunning shade of blue. The color is so hard to describe.

Once we arrived at the battlefield, we were struck by the vastness of the area. It seemed to go on and on. It was a wide open space. While searching the horizon, you could imagine the devastating battle that took place there.

The have a simple memorial to the fallen soldiers. You can even see a headstone for General Custer.

As you walk along a paved pathway, you will see numerous headstones for the cavalry and the Native American Tribes.

Further up the hill, we were taken back by the stunning memorial for the Native Americans that died during this battle. The stone and metal work were beautifully done. We spent a good bit of time reading all the murals inside the stonework.

The mural brought to life the plight of the Native Americans. Too often in history books, the Native Americans are portrayed as savages. I love being able to teach my children the other side. I always ask them how they would feel if a foreign group of people came to their house and tried to take it away. Would they sit back and let their house be taken or would they fight back?

The battlefield has a museum filled with artifacts and lots of great educational information for visitors. We watched a 15-20 minute about the battle. 

We enjoyed our visit to the battlefield and learned a lot. It was perfect because the kids would be studying these events this year for American history.

Be sure to come back next week.
We are getting closer to our destination!

Till Next Time,

Monique

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Wordless Wednesday~ Spring has Sprung

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Till Next Time,

Monique

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L is for Literature~ Blogging Through the Alphabet

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Thanks for joining me again as I Blog Through the Alphabet along with A Net in Time and Hopkins Homeschool.

L is for Literature

Once we started to homeschool, I knew I wanted the kids to be exposed to wonderful literature. I wanted them to be surrounded by great books, wonderful illustrations, and books that they would cherish years later. We all have that one favorite book from our childhood.

Over the years, we discovered quite a few books we have come to love.

The Little House 

by 

Virginia Lee Burton

(This was Therese's favorite book)

My Great-Aunt Arizona

by

Gloria Houston

The Three Snow Bears

by 

Jan Brett

Any book by Jan Brett is a great read. We love the stories and the beautiful pictures.

Madeline

by 

Ludwig Bemelmans

Aesop's Fables

Where the Wild Things Are

by

Maurice Sendak

(This was Michael's favorite book)

The Velveteen Rabbit

by

Margery Williams

The Little Engine That Could

by

Watty Piper

(This was a favorite of mine as a child)

Make Way For Ducklings

by

Robert McCloskey

The Good Humor Man

by

Kathleen N. Daly

(We had to read this to Michael every night for months)

This is just a few of the books my kids loved when they were younger. We have shelves filled with books and boxes packed away with the books they now cherish. I love how they have learned to enjoy reading. I will admit I miss those days of reading to them and tucking them in. 

They now read every night at bedtime. We often have to tell them to turn off their lights. Michael has even sneaked reading books until late into the night. He just couldn't put the Hobbit down. 

It's hard to scold a child when I often do the same thing.

Blessings,

        Monique

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Living Like a Saint~ Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen

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