As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I recieved a copy of Graphics-Toolbox to use and provide an honest review of this product. I have used many different graphics programs before and I know how different they can be. Some are vector based programs that allow you to do layering and others are pixel-based where you basically deal with each pixel within a grid area in order to create or modify your images. Graphics-toolbox is the later one which is a pixel-based program. Being this way, its strength is in image-editing. Some of the projects it is well-suited for are in editing and changing photo images, working with clip art, creating digital cards and scrapbook pages, creating flyers, posters, project pages, and other similar projects.

I was given the opportunity to work with Lynda Holler from the company that created Graphics-Toolbix in order to get started using this product. This was very helpful since this graphics program is unlike others that I have used before, in that it works like a virtual desktop. You are provided with a workspace where you then create images and text, can change colors, resize, rotate and do other things to manipulate items in your workspace then you use these items to create your final project. This is how I can best describe this product to you. The company provides a very good description of the features and how to use the Graphics-toolbox program so I will direct you to their website so that you can view the features and tutorials that they have provided. There is a lot of functionality within their software and this is a great way to get to know whether this software might be for you.

Our family used Graphics-Toolbox to make Valentine’s Day cards for my kids to hand out, birthday invites for my youngest’s party as well as the thank you cards for it. I liked how easy it was to change colors from within an image to another color as well as doing a tonal color change within an image. Being a scrapbooker as well as a card maker, it was very easy to understand the workspace concept that this program imitates. It is very similar to what I described before where you have all your materials and paper in one spot and select from what is available in order to work on a project such as a scrapbook page or like you would in making a card. This program has preset color schemes or cards set up for you to use similar to if you had selected paints and put them on a palette to use. It also allows you to create your own color cards for your projects so you can maintain consistency or choose color schemes that are your favorites to work with. It also has images such as lines and ribbons that you can use to add to your images.

While this product may not be for everyone, I feel that it is worth the effort into downloading a free 30 day trial of Graphics-Toolbox in order to find out for yourself if this the graphics program for you. You can also explore their website and learn about their product then if it is something you are interested in in purchasing, you can bu a single license for $149. They also give you the opportunity to get online training for an additional fee of $65 per hour. However, you do have access to the manual within the program itself which is very handy as well as help within the program too.

You can read what my fellow Crew mates thought of Graphics-Toolbox from our Homeschool Blog here.

Homeschool Library Builder is a Christian family-run book business that I was asked to review through the TOS Homeschool Crew. I had honestly not heard of it before and had to check out their website to get a feel for what they were about. As a homeschool family we thrive on books and that is what this business is all about; finding books at affordable prices. Their website allows you to search for books as well as browse within various categories. They also will search for books for you upon request. I know you are asking yourself at about this time, “Why should I buy books from Homeschool Library Builder?” Well since I have been looking at their website they have had many different promotions that you will not see from other booksellers as well as a customer point system ( HSLB Book Points) that gives you points based on items that you buy from them. You can then use these points to get an additional discount on your future purchases. You can also earn more book points through personal referrals. Every dollar you spend at the Homeschool Library Builder, you earn a Book Point. For every 15 book points you earn, you accumulate $1 worth of credit to be used in your account for future purchases.

You can check out their point system program in detail here at the Homeschool Library Builder website.

They have books that are used in many curriculum programs such as Ambleside, Beautiful Feet, Five in a Row, Heart of Dakota, Sonlight, Tapestry of Grace, and Veritas Press.

Whether you are searching for that specific book for your lessons, or just desire to browse, you may find what you are looking for at a reasonable price. It is free to become a member and you have the chance to earn discounts for future books.

You can check out Homeschool Library Builder for yourself at their website: http://www.hslibrarybuilder.com

For reviews of Homehool Library Builder from other Crew members check out our Homeschool Blog here.

The company, Dollar Homeschool, provided me with a free download of Ray’s Arithmetic which is a complete math curriculum through high school. The material was created originally to be used by our country’s pioneers and was being used for many years. The beginning lessons of math are taught using an oral tradition where the teacher explains math concepts and teaches the child math using objects. The lessons emphasize fully learning the basics and being able to do things quickly before progressing to new concepts and ideas. I love this because that is how we teach math in our home. I feel that some of the newer math programs out there and what is often taught in our schools do not stress how important it is to fully understand and be accomplished in each concept before moving on. I suspect that is why some kids struggle so much in math nowadays. The books contain a lot of word problems which show your child how important and relevant math can be for them. It is amusing reading some of the word problems since they were written a long time ago.

Something to consider is that the material has to be printed out or used from your computer screen. It also does not have the have the bells and whistles and flashiness of newer math programs. However it is a very inexpensive and complete math curriculum.

Ray’s arithmetic comprises of 38 books which includes the teacher books and keys. Dollar Homeschool has done all the work for you by collecting all of the books in one easy location on a CD or for me as a download. Yes you can probably find these materials other places but for only $59 you don’t have the hassle searching for these books on your own. It comes with a money back guarantee for 30 days as well.

Check out what my fellow Crew members also have to say about he products that Dollar Homeschool have to offer here at our Blog.

Another math product I had received for free to review as part of the TOS Homeschool Crew were two sets of DVDs by Math Tutor.

The first one, The Basic Math Word Problem Tutor, is an 8 hour video course which comes as 2 DVDs.

The DVDs cover instruction on word problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division using whole number, fractions, percents, ratios and proportions. You can see the DVD contents from the Math Tutor website here.

I homeschool very eclectically so I do not use just one curriculum like many of my friends. I have to admit I have found most video instructions to be kind of awkward. In my limited experience with them, in the ones I have watched before, the instructor on the video tries to make the kids feel as if they are sitting in a classroom and it always seems so artificial and distracting. However I was very impressed with the instruction provided on the Math Tutor DVDs I received to review. The instructor in the Math Tutor DVDs does not act as if he is performing for the video but instead acts as a teacher would in front of a classroom. The presentation itself is very well done. He states each problem, illustrates it and walks through how to solve each one and to help your child see how to approach similar word problems so that they not only learn how to solve the exact one shown but how to approach all other ones like it. Even my daughter who does not like math was very attentive watching the instruction.

Overall I was very impressed with the quality and instruction of these DVDs. I know a lot of parents who do not like teaching math and have misgivings about their ability to do so. This is an ideal DVD for them as well as those who feel secure in teaching math.

Cost for The Basic Math Word Problem Tutor is $26.99 and can be purchased on the product page for it at the MathTutorDVD.com website.

The next DVD I received to review was for younger kids called Young Minds Numbers and Counting.

This DVD displays wonderful pictures that are used in teaching your child to count from 1 to 10. While the pictures are being displayed and the narrator counts to your child, classical music selections from composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Mozart, Pachelbel, and Vivaldi are played throughout the DVD in the background. Your child will also be exposed to the sounds that the objects make such as when a frog is shown, you will hear a rib-bit. While my children are beyond the age for this DVD, they still enjoyed the pictures and music that are a part of this DVD program. Your young child will surely benefit from the multi-sensory learning environment that this DVD has for your child.

Cost for Young Minds Numbers and Counting DVD is $19.99 and can be purchased on the product page for it at the MathTutorDVD.com website.

You can also check out what my fellow Crew members had to say about these DVDs on our Blog by going here.

Anyone reading my blog knows that I am a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew for the current school year. As you know they select about 100-200 homeschoolers to be a part of this journey. You basically provide product reviews for the various vendors that are paying for their products to get honest product reviews from the Crew. You in turn get the opportunity to try out various homeschool products and in turn get to keep these products for free. Sometimes you get a limited online subscription and other times you are given the product to keep. It has been an awesome experience for me as well as a blessing. If you are interested in becoming a Crew member for the 2010-2011 Crew year go to http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/homeschool/Homeschool-Crew-2010.htm to find out more about it as well as how you can try-out to be selected. If you have any questions feel free to post a question here.

factsfirst is an online math program that was supplied to me free by Saxon Math in order for me to review their product.

The factsfirst website does an excellent job of describing their product and how it works. Their website explains step by step what your child will experience as they work through this program beginning with the creation of their avatar character through the lessons, arcade time, and the progress feedback. You can view a full description and sample graphics of the program from factsfirst here.

After your child creates their online character they will be taught two math facts using a simple word problems and graphics.

Next your child will practice these facts then take a quiz.
Upon completing those items they are then shown a progress report so they can view the items that they mastered and others they need to work on still. The following picture shows the chart that they will see.

In between learning new facts your child is rewarded with 5 minutes of game time where they will be able to play different math games to further practice their math facts as well as be able to modify their online character.

Both my children really enjoyed working with factsfirst. This online program is an interactive way to learn the basic math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication , and division) through a fun learning environment. Your child’s progress is determined based on speed, frequency and other factors. After your child completes each section he/she will be told how well they performed in that area. If your child has mastered the current facts the program will give them new facts to master.

A year long subscription for factsfirst costs $49.99 for 1 to 4 users per household.

Please visit the TOS Homeschool Crew blog here to find out what other people had to say about this product.

I received a free subscription to MathScore to use and review as part of the TOS Homeschool Crew.

MathScore is an online math program created by MIT Graduates that uses adaptive math methods to provide students in grades 2 through Algebra 1 with supplemental math practice. Each student logs in and chooses a topic area to work on. At the top of the window the student can choose to do a worksheet, select the mini lesson for that topic or work on sample problems. For example, when children choose to do a worksheet they will answer each question until they complete that set of problems. A timer runs until the student finishes the worksheet then a results page shows the statistics of how well they did on that page. There is a time limit for each worksheet so that the student is rated based on how much time was taken and how many correct answers were given. The student is asked if they wish to continue to the next worksheet which becomes progressively more difficult. This process is what is considered to be adaptive math method. As your score improves on a worksheet you advance to the higher levels within that topic. There are also areas that allow the student to take assessments that can identify their strengths and weaknesses. It is recommended to do the assessments for students starting at 4th grade and higher. My youngest was the one who I had work more within this program so that we had not gotten to this part of the program yet. I will be having my oldest work more within this program and post again more of our experience with using MathScore. I did like that this was a good program for drilling on math topics. As a parent it has a decent area for you to be able to view the progress of your child as he/she uses this program. It also has an area for you modify your account settings as well as a billing section. You can also change the time padding for the questions in order to allow the student more time to complete each worksheet. This is a good feature for those children who may have problems with entering their answers quickly. My youngest seems to have issues with remembering where the number she wants on the keyboard as well as being quick enough to select it. It is my understanding that you can also choose to freeze your account in the event you will not be able to use the program for an extended period of time such as going on vacation or to enable you to add more students to your account or to delete them. This makes it nice for your family so that you are not having to pay for the program when you are not being able to use it. You simply choose to unfreeze the account and you start using it again. When it is frozen the parent can login in to view information but the students are blocked from using it.

I have summed up this program in a nutshell but you can view more details about it by visiting their MathScore website.

MathScore is not like some of the programs which have avatars and rewards like arcade time and bells and whistles like that in other programs. If you are looking for a program that provides sound, straightforward math practice and drills for your child then I believe this would be a good fit for you. I liked that it provides the child with immediate feedback after each worksheet completed as well as an area to view progress. Instead of my child being able to choose to stay at an easier level she is moved on to a more difficult level as she successfully progresses through the current topic. The only con I can think of would be if your child needs those bells and whistles to give them motivation to work on an online program then you may want to use the free trial to see if this is a fit for him/her. It is definitely a math program that I would recommend trying. MathScore allows you a free trial which you can get started with by going here.

MathScore’s subscription for the first child is $14.95/month and gets cheaper with additional children. With a 9-month commitment, the first child’s price can be locked in at $9.95/month. I would check out Mathscore website. for the latest pricing information.

Check out what my fellow Crew members had to say about MathScore by going to our Crew Blog here.

I admit when I was in school I signed up for typing class in High School but ended up needing to drop it because my schedule was too full with all my college prep classes. Of course that means I type by the “Eagle Method.” My husband comments that I am very good typing that way but I do have to look mostly at the keys in order to type. Since I want my kids to be able to learn to type properly , I was pleased to receive free copies of Christian Keyboarding’s Keyboarding for the Christian School, Revised Edition and Elementary Edition to review as part of the TOS Homeschool Crew. The Elementary Edition is primarily for children in grades K-5

and the Revised Edition is for grades 6 and up.

My oldest has been working through the Elementary Edition and asks during the day if she can do lessons for it. Since what I received is an e-book, I print off several lessons at a time and place them in a typing folder and allow my daughter to work through the lessons at her own pace. She takes each lesson and places it on the StudyPod (notice this product from an earlier product review) in order to hold her typing lesson pages while she does the lessons. This works out well for her and she has been successfully and happily working through the lessons each day. She has not yet finished the entire program but she wants to continue with it after I post this review. I have been very pleased with what we have done so far. It is a no frills typing program which does not distract the student from actually learning the skill of typing. I like this because my child is more focused on learning to type rather than getting caught up in games or other distractions that I have found with some other programs. The bonus for us is I don’t have to worry about what material my children are typing in the lessons because this program uses Christian text.

Both Editions are basically set up the same. You begin by learning proper techniques such as hand and body positions then proceed to each lesson which builds upon what was learned in the previous lessons. Near the end of the lessons the student learns about centering, typing lists and does timed practices. The older edition also includes items such as MLA and APA reports, business letters, bibliography, among other items that would benefit older students.

You can check out the products in detail at the Christian Keyboarding website.

You can purchase the elementary edition for $12.95 or the upper level for $15.95. As I type this review, you can use the discount code of NewYear5 in the Discount Code section for $5 off of a purchase of $12.95 or more until February 28, 2010. Check out their website for other specials.

All in all we were very pleased with both editions we received and plan on completing both programs for all our children. I am also planning on working through the Revised Edition myself.

Please check out what my other crew members are saying about Christian Keyboarding’s products at our blog.

I received a free copy of the book, Bertie’s War by Barbara Tifft Blakey, which is a new title from Kregel Publications, in order to review for the TOS Homeschool Crew.

From the back cover of Bertie’s War, the description of the book is as follows:
“Everything has been going wrong for Bertie lately.

No matter how hard she tries to do and say the right thing, Bertie keeps tumbling into embarrassing–and sometimes dangerous–situations. Her stern father has too many rules, her know-it-all sister won’t stop teasing her, and her mischievous younger brother keeps getting into trouble. But what makes her really afraid are those Communist missiles pointed right at the U.S. As Bertie starts seventh grade in the fall of 1962, news of these missiles throws the nation into a panic and Bertie suddenly feels completely out of control. Can Bertie confront an ugly truth about herself and face her fears–once and for all? ”

The book itself is a historical fiction set in the era of the Cuban Missile Crisis in the early 60s. It was a time of uncertainty and one in which the main character finds herself having to confront and realize her many fears.

I found the characters to be refreshingly real and true to the setting of the time period. As the story unfolds we get a glimpse into what a teen, Bertie, would be thinking and how her emotions and reactions to events reflect the emotional state of the time in which she lived. We also get to see how others handle the situations that Bertie has experienced and how they all differ. For a historical novel, I admit I would have liked to see the setting developed more than it was in this book. We get small glimpses of what is happening during the story and in my opinion that story would be improved by adding more historical content. It would also add to its educational value as a work of fiction. Also, the ending has a moral and lesson which is Christian by nature however not enough of that is brought out in the rest of the story so the ending is not tied into the rest of the story as much because of that. As a result the ending seems a bit out of place and does not flow as well.

However, despite a few minor issues that I had with this book, I would recommend this to other homeschoolers for their tweens/teens. When my children are old enough and we are studying modern history, I plan to have them read Bertie’s War so that they can evaluate how this novel reflects the time period and to further discuss the events that occurred.

This paperback, Bertie’s War, can be purchased here on the Kregel Publications website for $7.99. You can also explore their website for other titles for kids and tweens.

Also explore the TOS Homeschool Blog in order to read what my fellow Crew members had to say about this book.

I was thinking this morning whether or not to do school. After all it is a public holiday: Martin Luther King Day.. I opted for alight day since I believe that the more educated and enlightened we become the more freedom we have as individuals. However it made me think about whether or not we as homeschoolers should declare our own holidays in celebration of those Homeschool pioneers or for religious days that the schools do not fel teh need to celebrate and honor. I think this deserves some more thought and consideration and I will get back to you on this. Any thoughts from you?????