by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | May 5, 2020 | Education Materials
(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).
Handwriting for Reluctant Learners – Perfect Reading, Beautiful Handwriting ebook by Everyday Education, LLC
Since I only have one child, there are lots of things I'm learning that I sometimes wish I could apply to the next child around. Since God chose to bless me with only one very special child, I get to apply what I learn with him. A very interesting example of this is with handwriting.
Before my son started kindergarten, I tried to teach him how to write his name. However, he refused to do it. And when he started kindergarten, it was nearly impossible to get him to hold a pencil “correctly” or to do any kind of extensive handwriting. In fact, his OT school evaluation basically included the remark that, “He wasn't willing to do the writing.”
Eventually he was diagnosed with developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia), with handwriting being one of his main issues. As a result, he received occupational therapy for his handwriting. Despite this, he never learned to write in a manner that was nearly efficient enough to keep up with the amount or the level of schoolwork he needed to complete. So, I came up with alternative ways to help him communicate.
For example, speech-to-text, mom scribe (on his IEP), typing (though not nearly as effective as you might think).
Now that he is in 9th grade, it is an interesting phenomenon that I can now convince him to sit down and do the handwriting.
The timing ended up being perfect for my son to practice his handwriting with Perfect Reading, Beautiful Handwriting. For example, as he's gotten older I've noticed that he relaxes more while he writes. This is such a relief to me.
I give credit to Perfect Reading, Beautiful Handwriting, however, for keeping him interested. This is because the assignments are truly interesting! I believe the fact that the type of handwriting used plays a huge part as well. It is called “Italics” and requires less work than the traditional method taught in schools.
When I asked my 15-year-old reluctant learner what he thought of Perfect Reading, Beautiful Handwriting, he didn’t say much. (He is on the autism spectrum). However, all I had to do was observe his reaction to the assignments and how he completed them without complaint. Plus, when we got to the part of the curriculum where he had to copy silly sentences, there was absolutely no need to “talk him into it.”
Nathan takes after me. We both have a silly side to our personality. This means that anything that’s silly, like limericks, alliterations, and such, are a blast! What this also means is that even though Nathan didn’t theoretically need the reading per se, he was in essence getting the reading. Not only that, he really struggles with spelling. So, having these simple words to copy and look at while writing are helping him improve his spelling as well.
As for the details of what is available. The program is written with Charlotte Mason style in mind and utilizes Phonics. We received the e-book format. If you purchase the e-book format, you will have the option to re-print pages, if necessary. This is especially convenient if you have multiple children. Of course, the print option is also available and you can purchase both at a discount.
I am no grammatician. However, it is clear that much thought was put into the creation of this curriculum. And grammar is a big part of reading.
You can rest assured that while your child is practicing his handwriting skills, he will also be introduced to the sound combinations required to read proficiently.
The e-book contains a total 218 pages of fun!
The bonus is that this is a handwriting AND reading curriculum. I did not plan on using it for reading. However, it's a given that your child will be reading. True bonus for us is the spelling. 😉
Check out the awesome Perfect Reading and Beautiful Handwriting by Everyday Education, LLC curriculum here.
Don’t forget to check out the other reviews from the awesome homeschool review crew click the picture below.
by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Apr 22, 2020 | Creation Education Resources
(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).
Not if, But When – Preparing our Children for Worldly Images, written by John Perritt, Illustrated by Alice Mastropaolo, Published by Christian Focus.
My son is almost 15 years old, but he is on the Autism Spectrum (ASD). As a result, he is mentally and emotionally young for his age. This is a good thing in many ways. For example, he still enjoys young, innocent programming when he watches TV. It is true that my son may never change in this area because he is also a Christian, and thus is drawn to clean programming.
However, what he is exposed is not always going to be within his control.
This is why I chose to review the book, “Not if, but When – Preparing our Children for Worldly Images,” despite the fact that it has a recommended age of 7-11 years.
The purpose of this book is to prepare children for when they are unwittingly exposed to pornography. “Not if, but When,” is geared towards a younger audience. However, it is appropriate for my son.
I read the book myself and so did my husband. Since our son is a boy, my husband and I decided it would be better for him to read the book. Also, we felt it would be better for him to discuss the content with our son. We were on spring break the week of April 6-10. Thus, this was the perfect time.
The first thing my husband noticed while reading the book was that my son was totally attentive.
In fact, more attentive than he normally is. For example, my husband does a daily Bible devotional with him on most days and our son usually makes comments on his preferred topic throughout. Not so while reading this book. This told us two things.
- He was interested in knowing more about the topic.
- It was appropriate for him.
I had first-hand experience with the “Not if, but When,” point just last week. I was on Facebook and there was a Christian page I was following that all of a sudden was showing borderline pornography in its stories. This happened two days in a row before I decided they must have been hacked. I quickly stopped following the page and blocked the content. I do not know what happened. However, I saw stuff that I would never have chosen on my own to view. And once it's in my head, it doesn't just go away.
This is the point of the book. It prepares children for what's out there and gives them tools for how to deal with it. It encourages children to seek their parents out when they see something that is uncomfortable to them so that they can talk about it.
The second day my husband read “Not if, But When – Preparing our Children for Worldly Images,” our son studied the outside of the book and continued to listen.
Our doesn't talk much and it can be extremely difficult to get him to answer questions with any kind of detail. However, when asked, he did say that he understood what was being said and answered. Also, he answered, “Uh, Huh,” when asked if he liked the book.
Not only that, my husband was able to have a little bit more of a discussion than otherwise would have been possible. So, we agreed that it was helpful with discussing a difficult, and sometimes uncomfortable subject.
In fact, our son revealed to us a couple days after finishing the book that he was getting unknown Face Time calls in the middle of the night. He stated that he hadn't answered them. And he wanted to know how to block the number.
It's not possible to know for sure, but I'm fairly confident that reading this book increased our son's awareness of the importance of letting us know if something uncomfortable occurs.
The book is written for both boys and girls. Thus, there are two story options in the book. One story is specifically written for girls and one is written for boys. The content is basically the same in both stories. The main differences reflect genders distinctions. For example, the pronouns used are different.
- One of God's Greatest Gifts
- The Gift's Instructions
- Opening the Gift too Early
- Distorting the Gift
- Worshiping the Gift
- Enjoying the Gift
- Breaking the Gift
- The Gift's Purpose
- Conclusion
Don't forget to check out the awesome book, “Not if, but When – Preparing Your Children for Worldly Images,” at Christian Focus. And while you're there, check out their other awesome books.
Click the image below to read what other Homeschool Review Crew members have to say about “Not if, But When.”
by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Apr 6, 2020 | Nutrition and Health
5 Signs You're Not Getting Enough Calcium in Your Diet. (Post may contain affiliate links).
I've been getting a lot of questions about the importance of calcium in the diet. Thus, I decided to put together an informative article with a few important facts. I've provided references for further study as well. (You can find the links at the bottom of the article).
5 Signs you're not getting enough Calcium in your diet.
1. You get frequent fractures.
On the surface, this may seem obvious. However, the reason why low dietary calcium can lead to weak bones may not be so obvious. Let me explain.
When calcium in the diet is low, the first thing that will happen is that blood serum levels will drop. As a result, parathyroid hormone, which keeps serum calcium levels stable, will “borrow” calcium from bones. If insufficient calcium is being brought into the body through the diet or supplements, this will eventually result in calcium depletion in the bones. Thus, you will have weakened bones.
This is why having your Calcium blood level checked is not a reliable indicator of healthy calcium status. As long as calcium intake is low, the body will continue to pull calcium out of the bones to use it for other important body processes.
This is because Calcium is not just important for healthy bones and teeth. It is also important for:
- Muscle Contraction
- Normal functioning of many enzymes
- Blood clotting
- Normal Heart Rhythm
2. You have symptoms such as muscle spasms, numbness, bone and/or muscle aches.
These are very general symptoms and can mean many things besides calcium deficiency. Thus, it is important to see your doctor when you have symptoms such as these so that together you can determine the root of the problem.
3. When you have a broken bone, it takes too long to heal.
What constitutes too long and what is normal? Well, that depends…The amount of time a bone takes to heal after a fracture varies by
- The type and severity of the fracture
- The age and health of the person with the fracture
- Where the fracture is located.
For example, an athletic high school student with a hairline fracture might only require 3 weeks for the fracture to heal. In contrast, an inactive 50 year old might require as long as 8 weeks for the same fracture to heal.
Your medical doctor will help to explain what is a “normal” healing time. If your fracture is taking much longer to heal, then it might be time for a bone density test to make sure your bone is healthy.
4. Your bone density test comes back low.
A Bone Density Test, also known as a “DEXA,” measures the density of your bone in order to determine if you have osteoporosis.
According to Mayo Clinic:
“A bone density test uses X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone. The bones that are most commonly tested are in the spine, hip and sometimes the forearm.”
The thing about bone density is that it is best to get a test before you start getting a lot of fractures. However, if you get a lot of fractures, this is one of the most accurate measures of the status of calcium and the health of your bones.
5. You don't drink milk, or eat cheese, yogurt or other dairy products.
This is a common dietary concern because many people are lactose intolerant or have a milk protein allergy. Also, people are avoiding dairy more often these days because of other health concerns. For example, vegans do not eat any dairy products. If you do not consume dairy products, it is extremely important that you consume alternate sources of calcium.
Click here for free tables to help you determine your calcium needs and for lists of calcium rich foods, both diary and non-dairy.
What if it isn't Calcium that's the problem and it's something else?
For example, insufficient vitamin D, inactive lifestyle, cancer of the bone, brittle bone disease can all result in weakening of the bones. The medical term for brittle bone disease is Osteogenesis Imperfecta.
The most common cause of non-calcium related weakened bones is Vitamin D Deficiency.
Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D is absolutely necessary for your body to properly use Calcium. Many people in the world are deficient in this important vitamin. Part of the reason is fear of skin cancer. People are afraid to go into the sun without high protection suntan lotion. And that's understandable. However, when you put on that heavy 30 plus UV protection, you are filtering out important sun rays that help your body produce vitamin D naturally.
Another thing that puts a person at risk of vitamin D deficiency is if you live in a region above 45 degrees Latitude North or South of the equator, the sun isn't as strong. Thus, people living in these regions are more likely to have vitamin D insufficiency and even deficiency.
Many experts agree that 400 IU vitamin D daily isn't sufficient to keep vitamin D status in the normal range. This is why it is important to have your vitamin D serum level checked to make sure you are not deficient. If your doctor determines you are low, he or she will most likely prescribe a higher dose of vitamin D to get you within normal levels.
How to be sure you are getting enough Calcium in Your Diet.
- Calcium rich foods (Click here for Tables)
- Vitamin D rich foods to help body absorb calcium
- Be aware of what can interfere with Calcium absorption
- Exercise to help your body better utilize the calcium in your diet
Can exercise help?
Yes! Weight bearing exercise in particular helps the body re-build bone. In fact, the way it works is similar to the way weight lifting strengthens muscle.
Examples of weight bearing exercise include:
- Walking
- Jogging
- Hiking
- Climbing stairs
- Playing tennis
- Dancing
- Weight-lifting
- Jumping rope
- Step aerobics
- Anything that requires you to be on your feet, “bearing your own weight” is considered weight bearing exercise.
No matter what, if you suspect that you or anyone in your family might have a calcium or vitamin D deficiency, seek your health professional immediately.
What's So Special About Magnesium?
Overview of Calcium's Role in the Body
Telltale Signs You Are Not Getting Enough Calcium
Bone Density Test
Hypocalcemia: Causes, Symptoms, etc.
Calcium Content of Foods
Surgeon General's Report on Calcium and Bone Health
The Mayo Clinic – Information on Testing for Bone Density
10 Foods HIgh in Vitamin D
Nutrient Dense Foods Vitamins
by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Apr 1, 2020 | Education Materials
(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).
When I first saw the Math-U-See Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Addition and Subtraction, I didn’t realize it was designed for more than just first time math fact learners.
I was wrong.
In fact, AIM was specifically designed for older students (8-16 years old) who have gaps in foundational math concepts.
For example, even if your child currently studies pre-algebra or algebra (like my son), the Math-U-See Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Addition and Subtraction may be a great choice. How is this math program helpful? Let me explain.
My son scored 32 (with around 100 being the cutoff level). After giving him the pretest, I knew this program would benefit him.
My son depends on a calculator and has for several years. Using a calculator enables him to continue to move forward in math.
Despite this, it sometimes bothers me that he can’t quickly give me the answer to basic math facts like 5+6 or 10-3. At least until we got our hands on this unique program.
One of the reasons I believe my son struggles with math facts is because he is more right-brained in his thinking. This is the kind of thinking that the manipulatives in AIM are useful for.
For example,
- Introductory videos help the teacher prepare and teach each lesson.
- A hard copy resource guide can be used for lesson planning. (In fact, everything showing in the picture at the top of the page is what you receive when you purchase the inexpensive AIM program).
- When you purchase this program you will also receive digital copies so that you can reprint if necessary.
- The short videos do an excellent job of reinforcing each lesson.
- Manipulatives provide hours of hands-on practice and fun.
- A Worksheet Maker is available online so you can customize each worksheet. For example, you can reduce the number of problems on each page.
- Colored pencils are included to help with the coloring exercises.*
- A variety of online digital activities and exercises are included as well. For example, the two images below show a digital manipulative program that a child can use to solve the math problems. The blocks show the blue block of 10 as reference. When the child is adding 9 and another number (7), looking at the 10 block clarifies the answer. Especially if your kid does the lessons in order. The number blocks are color coded. The idea is to be able to simply look at a block of 7 and know it’s 7 because it’s a certain color rather than counting up 7.
My son is a slow processor and he questions everything. However, he would much rather use hands-on manipulatives and do digital activities than write the answers down. Since there is obviously a time and a place for writing (and saying) the answer, the. Math-U-See AIM program was a good match.
A little bit of this and a little bit of that…
For example, the reinforcing theme is “Build, Write, Say.”
17 different “Build, Write, Say,” activities are provided in addition to the main worksheet activities. So many ideas! We couldn’t possibly use them all. but it’s a great aspect of the kit because you have choices that you can make depending on the unique needs of your children. A few examples:
- Build a Fact
- Subtraction Scavenger Hunt
- The Train Hitch (my son’s favorite)!
- Building a Wall of Tens
- Building a Bridge
- And lots more!
Just before I finished up my review today, I asked my son if he feels like the program is helping him remember his facts, and he said, “Yes.”
*The only thing my son did not like was the feeling of the colored pencils that were included in our box. My son has sensory processing issues and as a result he felt that the pencils were too hard. Thus, after he used them for a day he refused to use them at all. He instead used our own pencils, which are a bit softer. That was not a significant problem. But I did want to mention that the pencils included in the package at this time are hard. Thus, some children might prefer their own softer pencils. It certainly isn’t something that would deter me from buying AIM in the future.
So, don’t forget to check out this cool hands-on math curriculum! Click here now to see Math-U-See Accelerated Individualized Mastery program
And be sure to click the picture below to check out the other awesome Homeschool Review Crew reviews.
by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Mar 26, 2020 | Education Materials
5 Ways You Can Use YouTube as a Homeschooling Resource. (Post may contain affiliate links).
As a parent who homeschools, you already know that gaining access to resources can be a real struggle. And an expensive one at that! You probably know that there are a lot of helpful teaching aids you can find online, but have you ever considered YouTube as a possible resource?
Kids love watching YouTube as entertainment. There are endless amounts of content. In fact, a lot of people are even choosing it over TV, including children. If you look beyond the fluff videos, you will find that there is actually a lot of really good, educational, and age-appropriate content your children can enjoy and benefit from.
So, instead of fighting against it, why not lean into it to harness the benefits and all the knowledge YouTube has to offer?
Below are 5 Ways You Can Use YouTube as a Homeschooling Resource.
1. Learning about foreign languages & cultures
Have you ever considered how valuable YouTube content can be, as a foreign language aid? Not only are there millions of videos out there created by people from all over the world, but they often have an educational slant. Channels like Rock ‘N Learn provide multiple foreign language tutorials (among other things) for languages like Spanish, German, or French.
If you go on YouTube right now and search for any language, you are sure to find dedicated videos that help people learn step by step. From “word of the day” type videos to videos explaining issues of grammar, there is almost no need to go out and purchase expensive textbooks that teach the exact same thing, but in a less engaging way.
Perhaps the best thing about learning a foreign language on YouTube is the fact that real people are presenting facts about their lives and the reality of living in a different country, including local culture, spiritual beliefs, everyday habits, etc.
YouTube can also facilitate actual interaction with people from foreign countries. Your children can chat with content creators (under your supervision, of course) in order to practice their language skills.
2. Explanations for science-related subjects
Believe it or not, even when it comes to hard science subjects such as math, chemistry, or physics, your child can still use YouTube as a resource. Especially when a new concept is taught, it can take a while for your little one to catch on, or they may require a different or more in-depth explanation. Especially when it comes to practical experiments in areas of physics or chemistry, it can be extremely helpful to have someone demonstrate how they do it. It makes it much easier to replicate or to follow slowly, step by step.
If you feel like you are out of your depth, chances are that someone on YouTube has a dedicated video explaining concepts thoroughly. Oftentimes, they even include diagrams, images, and other teaching aids that you may not have access to. The Organic Chemistry Tutor is just one of these channels that deal with math and science subjects.
3. Primary resources – movies, audio books, documentaries
YouTube is actually a great place to find primary resources when you need them. For example, movies, documentaries, and even audiobooks can be easily found on YouTube, free of charge. That is especially helpful for essays and critical analysis assignments, where studying primary resources like this is an essential part of the process. These resources may also be available at the local library, but not always.
In addition to the resources offered for free, YouTube also sometimes offers viewings at a price, much like Amazon. You can download a certain film, for example, for $10 and watch it, just like you would purchase a DVD.
4. History, made interesting
Students often dislike subjects like history, because they can feel very dry. There are lots of names, lots of years to remember, and a presentation that is not always interesting, when it’s in text form.
That is where YouTube can actually help instill a love of history in your child. History buffs will make lengthy, detailed videos about historical events. They explain context, and presented in interesting tidbits that students may not otherwise have access to.
Having someone passionate explain something in an interesting way is a much better way of learning. Especially when compared to reading from a history book. In addition, videos usually have accompanying images that can contextualize the information in a way that makes it easier to understand. Bedtime History is a channel that makes dedicated videos to historical figures, landmarks, and concepts. Bedtime History videos are presented in a way that is easy to understand and process for children.
5. Practical skills & hobbies
With everything that is crammed in a regular school year, it can be difficult to fit in time for hobbies, extra curriculars, and other skills. In addition, classes like home economics and such have fallen by the wayside. As a result, very useful and practical skills like sewing, or woodworking are no longer taught.
Perhaps you’ll be surprised to know that these are things they can learn on YouTube. There are tutorials for everything, from beginner levels to more experienced ones. All your child needs to do is search for what interests them. And they will find someone who teaches it online, for free. Plus, you don’t need to drive them anywhere, which is a significant bonus! For example, a channel like 5-Minute Crafts PLAY. This channel has hundreds of videos demonstrating fun, creative crafts your kids can do at home with household items.
5 Ways You Can Use YouTube as a Homeschooling Resource. What’s the bottom line?
As you can see, YouTube can actually make a great resource for education, especially if your children are homeschooled. Most parents who choose to homeschool are equipped for the subjects they will be teaching, but a little extra help never hurts.
It would be a shame not to take advantage of all the resources the internet provides for students. And learning from home is the perfect opportunity to explore these alternative means of education.
Whether we’re talking about interesting and age-appropriate explanations of historical events, math problems solved in real time, or valuable skills, YouTube offers a great assortment of choices. With the technology of YouTube, an incredible variety of professionals and hobbyists can help your children achieve a well-rounded education.
Caroline Black is a long time freelance writer hailing from sunny California who enjoys outdoor adventure, spending time with her fur babies, and cooking.
Other things by Homeschooling Dietitian Mom
4 Ways I'm Being Homeschooled
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Healthy Eating on a Budget
Nutrient Dense Foods – Vitamins
My son is a slow processor and he questions everything. However, he would much rather use hands-on manipulatives and do digital activities than write the answers down. Since there is obviously a time and a place for writing (and saying) the answer, the. Math-U-See AIM program was a good match.
