Now, I have enjoyed my chocolate but surprisingly I have enjoyed my DVDs from MathTutorDVD.com!! Amazing!

MathTutorDVD was created by Jason Gibson, an electrical engineer who has worked for Texas Instruments and NASA, but now is focused on MathTutorDVD.com. You can read more about Mr. Gibson here.

The first DVD I watched was for the TI 84/ TI 83 Graphing Calculator

It is possible that you heard me groan when I opened the case. In my avoidance of higher math, I never had to personally use a graphing calculator. I was not looking forward to this video. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I actually enjoyed this video! Stop laughing. I did. Mr. Gibson presents the information in a clear, easy to understand manner. The screen allows you to view the calculator as he walks you through the different functions and features. It made me wish I had a graphing calculator so I could practice what I was learning.

The 3 set DVD is broken up into sections so you can pick and choose what you need to learn right now. You don’t have to watch two hours and hope to hear what you need. Need to know about finding the min and max of a function? Section 9 of DVD 1. I think the DVD is also great to have on hand for a refresher on using the calculator. Maybe toward the end of your calculus course, you can’t quite remember how to use a certain function. Grab this DVD, select the section you need and get that math done! Also, I know for me, sometimes I catch on a bit quicker if I see something in action as opposed to just reading a black and white manual. If you have a visual/audio learner, then this DVD would be a great asset. I know I will definitely be keeping this DVD on the shelf for use in a couple of years.

Important Information:

TI 84/TI 83 Graphing Calculator is $26.99. It contains 8 hours of instruction on using the calculator. You can scroll to the bottom of this page to view a video sample of this DVD.

The second DVD was for The Pre-Algebra Tutor: Volume 1 .

On this one, you may have heard my daughter groaning. Poor girl. We received a pre-algebra dvd at the same time she was starting her pre-algebra book. I previewed the DVD before handing it to Rebekah so I could help her out on any difficult sections. Once again, Mr. Gibson does a fabulous job of presenting information in a clear, easy to understand manner. He has a very relaxed manner of presenting information that I think students will find refreshing. I will be honest that my daughter didn’t walk away begging for her pre-algebra book but she was a bit more confident. The only thing she had issues with was that Mr. Gibson tells you to just listen, not to write anything down, just watch and listen. Rebekah would have preferred to write as she watched; there were times where I think writing would have helped her to focus a bit more. I later told her to write if she felt she needed to.

This DVD will definitely be kept on the bookshelves as I know Bekah will be using is throughout this year when she might hit a rough spot in pre-algebra. I can see myself using it to refresh my mind on areas I might need to explain and teach pre-algebra.

Important Information:

The Pre-Algebra Tutor: Volume 1 is $26.99 and covers real numbers, number lines, integers and more. It is 5 hours of tutorial videos. There is also a Pre-Algebra Tutor: Volume 2 available. There is a video sample of the Pre-Algebra Tutor: Volume 1 DVD available here.

Fully understand the TI84/TI83 calculator? Your students are beyond pre-algebra? Still head over to mathtutordvd.com! There are DVDs for geometry, calculus, physics and more. Your child struggles with word problems or basic math? There are DVD courses for those as well.

Again, math can be a bit scary, but Mr. Gibson does a great job showing how easy it can be!

Make sure head over to TOS Homeschool Blog and see what others are saying about MathTutorDVD.com!

**Disclaimer: I received this product for review as a member of the TOS Homeschool Review Crew. I received no compensation for this review.

IndoctriNation Trailer from IndoctriNation on Vimeo.

Then you need to head over to Hip Homeschool Hop and enter their giveaway today!

Can’t wait to see who wins!

Don’t forget to join in the Hop!

Is keeping track of four different math levels a bit stressful?

Having trouble keeping track of who read which book?

Over-scheduling your day?

Need a more organized grocery list?

Enjoy a short, encouraging read?

Want all of this and more in a neat, little bundle?

If you said yes to any or all of these questions, then you will want to take a look at the TOS 2010 Schoolhouse Planner!

You must check this planner out! Do not let the name “schoolhouse” mislead you. This planner will help you organize more than just your homeschool.

Here are just a few of the things offered:

Weekly planners of various forms

Daily schedules

Menu forms

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Emergency information

Bible study notes

Things to memorize

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Recipes to try

Forms from preschool to high school

Homeschool law information

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And so much more! Over 120 forms and more than 600 pages!

So what is the price of Mom’s Brain Backup? Only $39.00 for the e-book download!!! I know! Amazing price for a backup! You should head over right now and check out the 2010 Schoolhouse Planner.

If you would prefer a CD copy of the Schoolhouse Planner it is available as well.

***Disclaimer…As a member of the TOS Crew, I wrote this advertisement while participating in The Old Schoolhouse advertising campaign, making me eligible to receive a prize. A free copy of the planner was given to me to facilitate the writing of this blog post….

These adorable aprons are from marie-madeline studios; one of my favorite places to drool over beautiful fabric and lovely patterns. Small Town Simplicity is giving away an apron made by marie-madeline studios in your choice of fabric! Head on over and enter.

This week there is a giveaway for SpellQuizzer!

Take a minute and join this week’s hop.

I have loved finding new blogging friends! Join in the fun!

Everyone:

Bible – we do this together; first thing. We chose a book from the Bible to focus on for the month. We read a chapter or two daily and discuss. Scripture memory is done daily as well. We have a mix of longer passages as well as shorter ones. Catechism questions are included in the memory box as well. I love this part of our day!

Read alouds – Books are a big part of our life. We love to read! I am thankful that all of my children still enjoy being read to so we daily snuggle up together and read.

Older 3 (sometimes 4)

Tapestry of Grace Year 2 – this covers history, geography, literature, church history, writing…

Rebekah, 11, grade 6ish: (I really need to decide what grade she is in, yes?)

Saxon Math 7/6 – she only has about 10 lessons left and Pre-algebra is waiting on the shelf

Rod and Staff English 6

Copywork/Dictation – generally use Scripture but toss in literature selections from time to time

English From the Roots Up – Vocabulary; Greek/Latin roots

Mary, 10, grade 5ish: (Yep, need to decide for her as well.)

Saxon Math 6/5 – about 14 lessons to go and will be grabbing Bekah’s book

Rod and Staff English 5

Copywork/Dictation – generally use Scripture but toss in literature selections from time to time

English From the Roots Up – Vocabulary; Greek/Latin roots

Caleb, 8, grade 3:

Saxon Math 5/4 – just started and going well

Rod and Staff English 3

Copywork – current Scripture memory

Lydia,7(in a few more days), grade 2:

Saxon Math 2

Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Reading –(learning to read has not come easy so math and reading will be her focus)

Pathway Readers Grade 1

Copywork – current Scripture memory

Hannah, 4, Pre-K

She is dying to get started. I, however, am not ready. Her older sisters are great at spending some time with her “doing school”. I will address some other things for her later in this post.

Sarah and Sam hang with us and I’m sure learn more than I could imagine.

So what’s missing? Science. We have previously used Exploring Creation Series by Jeannie Fulbright but it just isn’t a good fit this year. We are going to read some living books, do some experimenting and writing and call it good for the year. For example, Caleb will be reading War Inventions. I’m sure he will learn much and enjoy it tremendously. We will also enjoy nature study.

This year has been an interesting one with job loss and moving, so the homeschool budget is a bit low (aka non-existent). But God is so faithful! Being a part of TOS Review Crew is helping to round out our curriculum needs. I am reviewing a handwriting curriculum, a math program and another item for review is on the way. All items that will add to our homeschool and needed for some weak areas! God is good!

I am also working on emphasizing writing a bit more. The children will be letter writing, blogging and journaling in an effort to strengthen their writing skills. Shhh, I haven’t told them yet!

So I’m still working on this list. The beauty of schooling year round. It all just flows together. Am I missing anything else?

Make sure you head over to Heart of the Matter and check out the Not Back to School Blog Hop! Join in the fun!!!

He did share two chapters and then they lent us the book to read at our leisure. My children couldn’t wait to finish it and hated to see it end.

O Ye Jigs & Juleps! A humorous slice of Americana by a turn-of-the-century pixie, aged ten is a collection of essays written in the early 1900s by a young American girl, Virginia Cary Hudson. Her view on life around her is charming and hilarious. You cannot read it without a smile and a chuckle.

She shares her thoughts on the Sacraments to the Library to Church Etiquette.

“Sacraments are what you do in Church. What you do at home is something else. Cooking and sewing and running the Bissels sweeper and eating and sleeping and playing and scrubbing yourself are not sacraments.”

“The library is a memorial. A memorial is something that somebody says or gives or builds after you are dead and can’t hear it or get it or see it. And now may God grant us all a good night’s rest and not let the fire whistle blow. Amen. Hallelujah and so be it as it may.”

“Before I go into the house of the Lord with praise and thanksgiving, I lift up mine eyes unto the town clock from whence cometh the time to see if I am late. It is not etiquette to be late.”

If you have not read this delightful book, you must find it! We will sadly be returning our borrowed copy but it is a must have for our family bookshelf!