Archer and Zowie Book Review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

We recently had the opportunity to review Archer and Zowie by Hans Bluedorn.  What a fun elementary level story for kids!

Hans Bluedorn is the author of The Fallacy Detective.  But Archer and Zowie takes children on a whole new adventure.  This make believe story takes kids on adventures of their mind and creativity.  Archer and Zowie tackles themes on friendship and having positive self-esteem, but presents them in a fun way that really speaks to children.

The story of Archer and Zowie lets us see the evolution of two best friends.  After a mishap they have reprogrammed the microwave to do some pretty cool things.  They can order food from other locations, completely squash the entire universe, and of course this new invention want to kill them.

Writing in a different genre, Han Bluedorn digs into this science fiction story and has really created some super fun adventures for these best friends to go on.  They battle dark matter, babysitters, microwaves, giant penguin aliens, and yet they are able to remain friends.

Archer and Zowie is really a cute story of imagination.  These two best friends go on lots of adventures, and can really encourage children to dig deep and let their own creativity flow through invention and play.

Caty enjoyed reading this story.  It did not take her long to make her way through the book.  She is a more advanced reader though.  It was written for elementary through early middle school ages.  So roughly 7-12 years old could read independently, depending on their reading level.  But Archer and Zowie would also make a great read aloud together.

I really liked the one section where the author made sure that the readers understood the text.  Sometimes it can be hard to understand even with context clues, so this brief explanation was great.

Archer and Zowie is written from a Christian perspective.  So there is mention of belief in God in the reading.  But this perspective does not rule the story.  So still could be read by those with a secular perspective also.  

The illustrations are super cute also.

When I asked Caty if she would read a sequel or another adventure with Archer and Zowie, she said she definitely would.  She said is was a great balance of "sci-fi and weirdness, just what I like to read."

Several members of the Homeschool Review Crew were given the opportunity to read Archer and Zowie and also check out The Fallacy Detective.  Click on the banner below to read about their experiences and how they used these products with their families.

 

 

The HomeScholar LLC - Total Transcript Solution Review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

Homeschooling in high school is a whole new level of challenges.  We recently had a chance to review the Total Transcript Solution from The HomeScholar LLC.  This is a game changer for anyone who is struggling to get their student's transcript ready for college.

The HomeScholar LLC was created by Matt and Lee Binz, who have become experts in homeschooling through high school. As homeschool consultants who also homeschooled their own children, they have worked for over 15 years helping other families have the confidence to continue through those high school years and enter into college.

Lee Binz likes to emphasize her core beliefs in homeschooling:

1. Homeschooling independently provides the best possible learning environment
2. Every child deserves a college-prep education, whether or not they choose college.
3. Parents are capable of providing a superior education for their children.

The Homescholar LLC has created a variety of products that make it easy for parents to create high school transcripts that any college would love to see.

I did have a little trouble getting started.  But figured it out pretty quickly.  Lydia is officially a sophomore this year.  She is still undecided about college.  So I need to make sure that I keep good records for her, just in case she decides to enroll.  

For the boys, I just kept a record of classes and credits in a spreadsheet on my computer.  But that is the difference in doing it on your own, or buying a subscription to Total Transcript Solution.  The Binz family has created a true how to homeschool high school system.  If you are preparing your student for collegiate success, they have a plan that you can follow and set you up for graduation success.

Your subscription to Total Transcript Solution does not need to be purchased annually.  It is a lifetime membership.  You have access to:

• Video training to help you fill out the transcript, list classes, assign grades and credits, and even figure GPA
• Flexibility to use the transcript software with all your children for the same price.
• You even can get professional feedback on the transcript you created from Lee Binz. The cost includes a 20-minute phone or email consultation with Lee Binz.
• Ten different transcript styles in Word, Excel, or Pages, including the NCAA format that is used to help earn scholarships.
• Extra bonus books on Get A Handle on the SAT, and even favorite homeschooling resources.

The videos are helpful and really do answer questions about how to homeschool through high school.  Lee Binz takes what seems like a daunting task and gives you the confidence to know that you CAN homeschool in the high school years, and YES your student can go to college.  Her videos help you and your student to really lay out their plan, and how to get the most from their learning experiences and put them on their transcript.

I really do believe that for anyone who is on the fence about homeschooling through the high school year should purchase Total Transcript Solution.  It can get you off that fence and on the path to homeschooling through high school.

Once I got through the checkout process it has been a completely easy program to use.  I will be using this for our other daughter also as she is entering high school next year.  She is also still undecided about college.  So I am going to be prepared.  I do encourage you to include your student even on some of the videos and the planning.  That's another way to help them to learn independence in planning, goals, and decision making.

Several members of the Homeschool Review Crew were given the opportunity to review various products from The HomeScholar LLC.  Click on the link below to see how they used these products in their homes.

Math Essentials Speed Wheel Drills Review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

Math struggles are real in this house.  Continuous practice is really important for the girls.  Recently we had the opportunity to review the Speed Wheel Drills from Math Essentials.  What a great way tor practice in short bursts.

The purpose of speed wheel math drills to for kids to be able to practice quickly those essential math facts.  Without these being memorized, it does make it harder to tackle those middle and high school math programs.

The Speed Wheel Drills series from Math Essentials includes a book for Addition, Multiplication, and Division.  Instead of practice being a full pages of problems, students can practice all the math problems for each number.  This type of practice allows for easier memorization.

Each book contains more than 1,440 speed wheel drills that you can assign for children to tackle so many each day.  

I like the ability to let them work on so many each day.  Caty worked on the addition book that we received.  It did not take long the facts that she has been struggling with to start clicking more.  Now with her learning challenges, the extra practice has been great.  The problems she has been working on are not stretched across a page.  So this has kept her from feeling super anxious as she works through the problems.  

That is a great benefit to these Speed Wheel Drills.  The practice did not cause them anxiety.  They were able to get a lot of practice in what seemed to them to be a half a page or even a quarter of a page depending on the problems that day.

Lydia practiced her multiplication and division facts.  Again, the practice was fun.  It was different.  It was not just a case of constant sheets of practice.

I like the flexibility.  This is not a course that teaches how to solve these problems.  These are strictly practice books.  You can assign as much or as little each week as your student needs.  With over 1,440 speed wheel drills, the materials will last your student for a while and will help them reach mastery stages.

If you are looking for just some fun extra practice for your students, Math Essentials Speed Wheel Drills are a great addition to your school schedule.  They also offer a wide variety of mastery workbooks for middle school, high school, and even adult refresher books. 
 Several members of the Homeschool Review Crew were given the opportunity to review the Speed Wheel Drills books from Math Essentials.  Click on the link below to see how they used these products in their homes with their students.