CompuScholar Inc: Web Design~Homeschool Review Crew

       Living in the “tech” age that we do, I bet there are not very many high school transcripts out there that do not have some form of computer science listed as at least one of the classes.  It is the world we live in.  So what do home school kiddos do about this?  The people at CompuScholar Inc. have got you covered!  Formerly Homeschool Programing, this company offers courses like Web Design,, Digital Savvy,  and Java Programming to name a few. These courses vary in grades from 6-12th grade.  I was given the opportunity to review CompuScholar's Web Design.

        Each course offered is a 2 semester course or a full year. and all courses come with:

• Step-by-step self-study lessons
• Integrated instructional videos
• Automatically graded lesson quizzes, chapter tests and an electronic gradebook
• Hands-on programming and computing projects with easy-to-follow solutions
• Teacher's guides, project grading rubrics, fully coded activity solutions

     ***FREE Technical support for parents!  Let’s face it, not every parent is as computer literate as their children.  At CompuScholar they are aware of this and offer people like me (and maybe you) technical support for all your questions to help you assist your child or understand what they are are doing with in their course.  They answer quickly and are super nice.  Yep you guessed it, I had to contact them I believe it was our first lesson!  They were very helpful!  You don’t need a lot of computer knowledge to take these courses, however they are set for a high school level so you would need the basics: know about your keyboard, how to save files, locate them and things of this nature.  If you feel that your child may not have a great foundation you can always take the Digital Savvy course first that does cover more of the basics.
    What did we work with?  We were given the Web Design for the purpose of this review.  It is a one-year (two-semester) online course covering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript skills for 4th-12th grade students.  You do not need to have advanced computer skills, but the basic computer knowledge to start.    
    We used this with my high school kiddo who would like to go into Graphic Design.  He has been working with a few different computer programs with things like HTML, JAVA and Adobe Light Room, Illustrator and Photoshop.  We were exited to review this curriculum as it would enhance his computer science portfolio.
    His thoughts:
          He thought that the site was very easy to navigate and like the fact that you got your test graded as soon as you completed it.  He like the fact that there were 3 attempts to take each test and get all the answers correct, however when he got 100 on the first try he didn’t like having to do it again.  He feels that if you got all of the questions correct, you have mastered the material and should be able to move on.  Each test consisted of 5 questions, so you couldn’t miss more than one or you would fail the test. 
  This is so far the first dab he has taken with the actual web designing and he feel that this served a great purpose for him:  It made him realize that he didn’t want to do this kind of work. He likes the more creative side of graphics.

Check out my review Java Programming, from CompuScholar, formerly called Homeschool Programming.
     You can also check out what my friends on the crew are saying about this and the other programs.

     You can check CompuScholar out on social media:

   Homeschool Programming

Facebook – www.facebook.com/HomeschoolProgramming

Twitter – https://twitter.com/HSProgramming   @hsprogramming

CompuScholar, Inc

https://www.facebook.com/CompuScholar

https://twitter.com/CompuScholar   @compuscholar

Thank you to CompusScholar and Homeschool Review Crew for the opportunity to review this product.

Faithgirlz Promises For You, Coloring Devotional ~A ZonderKidz Review

               

       Faithgirlz Promises for You Coloring Devotional, published by ZonderKidz, provides 60 days of Discovering God hope and love.  This hardbound book has a very attractive cover and would make a great devotional for any girl.   The book is filled with, as you may have already guessed promises, these are the unchanging kind from God, the best kind.  Something that we may need to be reminded of from time to time as we continue on this journey he has set us on.

      It features:

            *Pick a page and go:

                 You don’t have to start on the first page and read thru in the correct order!  Pick any devotion that you feel speaks to you or picture that you are drawn to and go!  The thick pages will take what ever you want to illustrate them with:crayons, colored pencils or even markers.  Don’t worry the pages are thick to prevent bleed through.

      *Write more option:
          

              Want to add personal notes, a prayer or thoughts on the verse for any devotion?  There are lines to do this which each devotional.

         *Share the devotional:

                 What’s better than coloring beautiful pictures, reading and reflecting on scripture verses?  Doing it with a friend.  This book encourages the reader to ask their mom, sister or friend to color and discuss with them the devotions.

This book would make a great gift for anything from an Easter Basket to a graduation gift!  We can never read too much about God’s plan for us or be reminded of his promises and gift to us.

   Thank you to ZonderKidz for the opportunity to review this book!

     You can check out this book and other great titles from ZonderKidz:
              Zondervan Children's Books

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the above mentioned book for free, in exchange for  a frank and honest review.  All opinions are my own.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  Your results and opinions may differ.  

Menu Mondays~Week of 4/8/17

Sunday
      Breakfast~Donuts
      Lunch~Bacon Egg and Cheese baglewiches with applesauce or fruit
      Snack~yogurt
       Supper~Grilled BBQ Chicken, corn on the cob and baked beans with salad
       Snack~Rice Krispy treats
Monday
      Breakfast~Crockpot oatmeal with apples and cinnamon
      Lunch~Toasted Ham and Cheese Hoagies with cottage fries and cantaloupe
      Snack~Apples with peanut butter
      Supper~Spaghetti with meatballs, salad and bread
      Snack~cake
Tuesday
      Breakfast~Cereal with Milk and fruit
      Lunch~pizza
      Snack~yogurt
      Supper~It’s Taco Tues!  Taco bar
      Snack~Lemon Cake
Wednesday
       Breakfast~eggs with ham and cheese
       Lunch~Spaghetti with garlic toast
       Snack~yogurt
       Supper~crockpot pork with rice and broccoli, salad
       Snack~Pudding
Thursday
      Breakfast~Oatmeal with fruit
      Lunch~Homemade ranch tenders with fries
      Snack~Peanut butter crackers or cheese and crackers
      Supper~Crockpot chicken and pasta with salad
      Snack~Cookies
Friday
      Breakfast~Clubb McMuffins with Strawberries
      Lunch~Macaroni and Cheese with ham roll ups
      Snack~yogurt
      Supper~Pizza
      Snack~Chocolate cake
Saturday
       Breakfast~Pancakes and waffles with eggs
       Lunch~Ham and cheese hoagies with chips and yogurt
       Snack~Apples with peanut butter
       Supper~Grilled BBQ Chicken, skillet corn and green beans, with salad
       Snack~Caramel Corn

Shepherd, Potter and Spy--And The Star Namer by Peggy Consolver, Author~A Homeschool Review Crew Review

    I received a copy of Shepherd, Potter and Spy--And The Star Namer from Peggy Consolver Author, for the purpose of a review.  Peggy did an excellent job in the writing of this book. She gained detailed knowledge as she spent 18 days in Israel with her family and went on archeological digs to gain the direct insight for this story.  She says “To actually visit many of those places changed my internal picture of biblical event from misty imaginings to solid reality.”  She shows just that change with the details that she has included in the book in the descriptions of the land and the people. 
       This Biblical Historical Fiction writing is based on Joshua 9 and 10.  It portrays primarily the life of a 13 yr old, shepherd~and defender of his sheep, a potters son~turned spy who is hopeful of a full life.  Young Keshub is the main character in the story who has a lot of responsibility that he “inherits” given the events that were happening at this time.  The story I feel is mainly written from his point of view and life. A typical teen, Keshub would rather play with his sling shot that tend the sheep, however that is not the case.  In this story, you will get an account of what it was like to live in the desert as he tends the flock, follow him as a spy and be on the look out for any uprisings.  The story takes place in ancient history before the Hebrews conquered the promise land.  It is a scary time for the people of the land.    
     In the front of the book there is a characters and relationship list.  This at first was a bit intimidating.  It comes in handy as the characters are intertwined through out the pages.  I had to refer back to it a few times to figure out who belonged to whom when I started reading the story.  
    The author has also put together an awesome study guide to the book that you can purchase directly from her.  The study guide has great information in 13 chapters to enhance your reading experience.
           Research links:  Here you will find links topics like Syrian Brown Bears or the medicinal and antibiotic properties of honey.
           Downloadable maps~provide a map that you can fill in as you read along as well as the answer map
           Finally videos!  The videos include things like:  How to make a square lashing or how to use a sling! Something my son loved!
  I would recommend this book for a mature middle school student or a high school student as I did think that at times it was a bit hard to follow.
                      You can Follow Peggy Consolver on Social media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peggy.consolver  
              Check out what my Crew Friends are saying about the book! 
Thank you to Peggy Consolver Author and the Schoolhouse Review Crew for the opportunity to review this book!

Memoria Press: The Story of the Thirteen Colonies & The Great Republic and 200 Questions About American History with Flashcards~A TOS Review.

   I received, from Memoria Press, The Story Of The Thirteen Colonies & The Great Republic as well as 200 Questions About American History for review.  I was super excited as history wasn’t always my favorite subject.  I have grown into it as I have gone thru it again essentially, as my kids have taken those classes. My favorite study in history is American History.   I think it is exciting to watch the country take the shape and become the beautiful country that it has.  Recommended for grades 5th-7th, these two sets work together to create a great middle school curriculum covering the history of our country from Columbus to the Spanish American War.  It also would work great to supplement any curriculum.
  
Included in The Story of the Thirteen Colonies & The Great Republic comes the student text, teacher guide and the reader. The book has an easy layout format that is easy to follow and adapt to your weekly scheduling needs.  The complete set sells for $48.00.
       There are 85 stories total in the historical reader. Each story is a few pages (like 4-5 pages per weekly lesson) and they are grouped in sets of 3 stories for each lesson totaling 32 weeks of lessons for a complete year study!  Listed with each lesson are: Facts to Know, Vocab Words, Comprehension Questions,  and an Enrichment Section. Each of these sections will help with the understanding of the lessons.  The book also has a great appendix section that has maps, historical documents like the Gettysburg Address or the Declaration of Independence or the Emancipation Proclamation.   
          
The book, 200 Questions About American History, is a great compliment for this curriculum set.  It includes the Student book and then the Teachers Guide for    $9.95 and $5.00 respectively.   This set includes:  A recommended schedule, Teaching Guidelines, Drill Questions, Timeline of American History, Notable Quotes From American History, Presidents of the United States, The Star-Spangled Banner, Old Ironsides, O Captain! My Captain!  and Tests and Keys.  A great compliment to the previous curriculum.       
       Along with the 200 Questions About American History books, there is also a flashcard set.  I highly recommend it especially for the $12.95 that it costs.   This is a great tool to help your students quiz (or have a friendly competition as a spur of the moment week night alternative to what ever was supposed to be the nightly TV show!  These cards answer questions that anyone should really know about American History.  Some of these questions are: Document that established a central government for the United States, First Prestident of the United States and "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Who said it?

        What was our take?  This was used with a 5th grade student.  She would ask (or remind) me on a daily basis if it was time to do the our history lesson!  It was a hit in our house. At times my older children would ask if they could sit and listen to the story as well.  They both like the layout of the stories.  They were long enough to get the info and point across however it wasn’t a long a boring read as history can sometimes be.  The questions are taken from the reading so they were not hard to be answered either.  I didn’t ask her to take the tests as she has some anxiety with tests and I figured in 5th grade history, if she was getting the questions correct and worked thru the lesson activities, she would be okay.  I would recommend this curriculum to anyone with a middle school child!

      Catch Memoria Press on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/memoriapress/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/memoriapress/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MemoriaPress  @MemoriaPress

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/memoriapress/

    Check out what my friends on the Schoolhouse Review Crew are Saying:

  Thank you to Memoria Press and the Schoolhouse Review Crew for the opportunity to review this curriculum! 

Menu Monday~4/2/17

Sunday
    Breakfast~cereal with milk and fruit
    Lunch~toasty sub sandwiches with cottage fries
    Snack~fruit
    Supper~skillet cajun pasta with salad
    Snack~cookies
Monday
    Breakfast~egg burritos with ham and cheese
    Lunch~pizza
    Snack~apples with peanut butter
    Supper~Ranch baked chicken salad with crusty bread
    Snack~cinnamon twisted puff pastry
Tuesday
    Breakfast~Oatmeal with apple and cinnamon
    Lunch~grilled cheese with chips and yogurt
    Snack~strawberries or grapes
    Supper~spaghetti with knot rolls
    Snack~pudding
Wednesday
    Breakfast~zucchini muffins
    Lunch~egg salad wraps with lettuce, baby carrots with ranch and yogurt
    Snack~grapes or strawberries
    Supper~white chicken chili with corn bread
    Snack~brownies
Thursday
    Breakfast~Eggs
    Lunch~Chicken fajitas
    Snack~fruit
    Supper~Beef roast with spaetzel, carrots and salad
    Snack~caramel corn
Friday
    Breakfast~Cereal with milk and fresh fruit
    Lunch~Cheezy eggs with fruit or applesauce and toasted french bread
    Snack~Apple slices with peanut butter
    Supper~Cheese Pizza
    Snack~Cookies
Saturday
    Breakfast~Mini cupcakes and strawberries
    Lunch~Ham and Cheese sandwiches on pretzel bread with yogurt and apple slices
    Snack~Cookies
    Supper~Hamburgers, baked potatoes and baked beans
    Snack~Cheesecake

Menu Monday~3/27/17

  Sunday
      Breakfast~cereal with milk and fruit
      Lunch~Clubb muffins, with fruit
      Snack~cookies
      Supper~Pot roast with steamed veggies and salad
      Snack~homemade pretzel cinnamon pretzel bites
Monday
      Breakfast~Cheesy ham and egg skillet with fruit
      Lunch~Hot open faced ham and melted mozzarella cheese subs, chips and applesauce
      Snack~apples
      Supper~spaghetti with meatballs, salad and garlic bread
      Snack~Jello
Tuesday
      Breakfast~Overnight French Toast with Fruit
      Lunch~peanut butter, banana wraps, carrots and yogurt
      Snack~apple or oranges
      Supper~pork roast, spaetzle, green beans and salad
      Snack~cherry turnovers
Wednesday
      Breakfast~eggs with sausage links and toast
      Lunch~BBQ chicken sandwiches with chips
      Snack~pretzels
      Supper~pizza
      Snack~pudding
Thursday
      Breakfast~crockpot apple and cinnamon oatmeal
      Lunch~chef salads with italian bread
      Snack~grapes
      Supper~Baked chicken and herbs, carrots and rice pilaf, salad
      Snack~pound cake
Friday
      Breakfast~cereal with milk and fruit
      Lunch~grilled cheese
      Snack~yogurt
      Supper~fillet of fish, macaroni and cheese and broccoli
      Snack~Sliced apples
Saturday
      Breakfast~Chocolate chip pancakes with warm syrup, eggs and fruit
      Lunch~Toasted ham and cheese sandwiches, Herbed cottage fries and applesauce
      Snack~yogurt
      Supper~Lasagna with garlic bread and salad
      Snack~caramel popcorn