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April 21, 2010

Spell Quizzer Software

 

As a homeschool family, we’d taken the ‘traditional’ route when it came to ’spelling’. Lists, words, more lists, more words…can you spell boring, tedious and chore? I believe that spelling is IMPORTANT. How intelligent do we appear when we can’t spell?! Not real intelligent! I also don’t like to ever see that ‘glazed over’ look in the eyes of my children, I want their memories of being homeschooled as a blessing, as fun and something they truly enjoyed! I want them to love learning, no matter what it is they are learning! Spelling was quickly becoming one of those ‘glazed over look’ subjects, not only for my children, but for us as parents! Lists were ho-hum, and something that ‘had to be done’. Fine, we’d endure it, BUT….enter Spell Quizzer!

NOW we’re talkin’! Spelling transformed from ‘had to be done’ to ‘FUN!’ Computer time is a priviledge, not a given, around here–so doing spelling on the computer was now ‘a game’, a ‘challenge’, and ‘fun’ rather than a boring chore. Spell Quizzer has breathed new life into spelling in our homeschool!

Spell Quizzer Software allows us as parents create and manage each child’s spelling list with ease. I type up their list, (the software also offers some ‘pre-made’ lists already loaded into the software too) complete with audio recordings of their (custom!) spelling list for them, until mastery is achieved of said list. I love that we can keep the laptop open and as we go through our day and if a word is spelled incorrectly in other lessons, I add it to that childs list, in addition to their regular weekly list, that we customize for each child! SO easy for me! I have seen MUCH improvement, especially in one of my children who was less than excited about spelling, in the past.  Her whole attitude and enthusiasm for spelling has completely turned around! Spell Quizzer really makes spelling into fun for children!

Spell Quizzer is a unique tool, that has really been a blessing to our family! It makes managing spelling for me, much easier and not a daily ‘chore’, but something that really turns much of the responsibility over to the children, letting me keep a watchful eye over it, while allowing them the fun and freedom of ‘doing it themselves!’ It also incorporates their typing and computer skills, another bonus!

I will never go back to our old way of doing spelling, Spell Quizzer is a homeschool family’s dream–we LOVE it!

~Lisa

October 16, 2009

“Leathercraft Projects To-Go” from Tandy Leather

Filed under: Product Reviews — Tags: , , , , — Lisa @ 7:33 am

Have you seen these NEAT ‘projects to go’ from Tandy Leather ? SUCH a neat idea and such fun projects for the children!

Tandy has created these ‘projects to go ‘ in a sturdy plastic bucket (reusable!) based on themes (we used the Native American one) such as “Sports”, “New Frontier”, “Camp”, “Ranch-Farm”, “Patriotic”, etc….they include short lessons/information on the theme, along with HIGH QUALITY supplies to make up to 12 of EACH of 3 projects–that’s 36 projects folks!

These are so perfect for Homeschool CoOps, Homeschool Group gatherings, or as just plain old FUN–my children absolutley LOVED the projects and could easily pick up the directions and figure out how to make everything on their own, too.

Tandy makes REAL projects (I’ve seem so many ‘projects’ for children out there that are just cheesy garbage ‘crafts’….aka busywork!) with really nice high quality, REAL leather, real sharpie markers, eco friendly paints, beads, etc. VERY nice! The children can create their own designs, get ‘hands on’, creative and artistic and be learning all at the same time :)

Here is some more info direct from the Tandy Leather website:

Everything needed to create 36 leathercraft theme projects in a handy bucket!

Students will learn about the theme while creating a useful and decorative leather project.
Lesson includes history and new vocabulary words. Creativity, math and dexterity skills
will be exercised to design, personalize, color and then assemble the project.

The Native American Theme Bucket contains:
• Complete Lesson Plans & Instructions
• 3 Projects: Hide Pouch, Koozie or Pouch & Arrowhead Fob:
      — 12 Pre-Punched Leather Hide Pouch Parts
      — 12 Pre-Punched Leather Koozie or Pouch Parts
      — 12 Pre-Punched Arrowhead Fobs
• A Look Back Into Historic “Native American Symbolism”
• A Look Back Into Historic “Weapons Of The Frontier”
• A Look Back Into Historic “Native American Dwellings”
• Eco-Flo™ Cova Colors® Acrylic Paints
• Stencils • Sharpie Markers • Cord
• Hook & Loop Fasteners • Brushes
• Design & Coloring Ideas • Beads

 Lots of fun, (I even made a few things myself!) the children loved them (this was perfect, as they love to study early american history (aka pioneers n indians!) and I like the fact that they are making something of use/value out of nice high quality materials and learning something along way–for the children, they don’t realize they are being taught and learning–these projects are just plain ol’ FUN.

Tandy has tons of fun, high quality projects and ideas on their website–check them out! I would highly recommend their new “Projects To Go”–great idea…and lots of smiles (from parents and children alike!)

Happy Homeschoolin’

Lisa


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