Math Tutor DVD TOS Product Review

I recently received in the mail two DVDs from Math Tutor DVD. The name of the company perfectly describes what they do...tutor math. It looks like most DVDs come with a similar warning:

A+

CAUTION!

THE USE OF THIS DVD WILL CAUSE

INCREASED UNDERSTANDING OF

PRE-ALGEBRA AND WILL LEAD

TO HIGHER GRADES.

Jason Gibson, the instructor of the entire line of DVDs is also the mastermind behind the company and this extensive DVD offering. He has earned a BS in Electrical Engineering, a Masters in Electrical Engineering, and a Masters in Physics. Check out the Math Tutor Story here.

I was pleasantly surprised by the extensive product line Math Tutor DVD provides. From Basic Math to Algebra, Geometry, Trig, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Differential Equations, Physics and Probability & Statics. They even provide Calculator Tutor DVDs. All of the DVDs can be viewed on DVD or on-line. In addition, the website has a link entitled Mental Math Secrets hosting free video podcasts covering a number of math tricks to mentally calculate everyday math. I thought these were well done and very helpful. You can teach an old dog new tricks!

The first DVD we used was:

The Pre-Algebra Tutor Volume 1
5 Hour Video Tutorial
Price: $26.99



This 2 DVD set covers:

• Real Numbers
• The Number Line
• Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To
• Absolute Value and Adding Integers
• Sbtracting Integers
• Multiplying Integers
• Dividing Integers
• Powers and Exponents
• Order of Operations

I asked each of my kids to choose an area of interest. While they have already completed Pre-Algebra, I knew a little bit of review and perhaps some new insight might be helpful to them. They could be the judge.

Rachel chose Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To. I knew this was something she was very familiar with, but she chose this topic to see if she could learn how to apply the symbols in a more meaningful way.

When the kids were little, I remember quite well how the math curriculum we used addressed the greater than symbol. They likened it to an alligator ...

100 >:^,^^^,^ ~ 82

... eating its lunch. So, does the alligator eat the bigger number or the smaller number? You might need to envision an alligator in order to find out. Anyway, you can see why this might confuse a 7 year old. Jason did a great job explaining that the greater than symbol always, always points to the smaller number.

100 > 82

See, no alligator needed. Jason's repetition of the rule helps it stick.

This particular topic was 15 minutes in length. Rachel thought Jason was very easy to listen to and understand. During the video, he positions himself in front of a white board and is constantly writing down examples for explanation. His handwriting is very clear and understandable as well. Rachel learned something and thought she could watch other topics on this set of DVDs without any problem. For her, the information was a little over done (because she's already familiar with it), but for someone who is new to Pre-Algebra, she thought the repetition would be very helpful.

Caleb chose Order of Operation. Again, being familiar with this topic, the math curriculum we have used explained this in a different way. Jason's introduction and explanation helped reinforce the rules. Caleb agreed with Rachel in that Jason is easy to listen to, easy to watch, and easy to understand. He found watching this topic helpful, but thought it was a little too long. Again, Caleb is familiar with the subject matter, but thought someone new or struggling with this topic would find it to be very helpful.

Jason does not come across as someone who has a Masters Degree in Physics. Let me explain what I mean by that. My mind allows me to think that someone this smart would come across as dry and scholarly. But he doesn't. Jason is engaging and easy to listen to. My kids enjoyed watching and listening to him. Jason doesn't feel the need to be animated and doesn't try to be silly. So often we see people trying to be goofy in order to reach this age group. I'm glad Jason keeps everything on the level. Thanks, Jason!

If I were to make one comment about the DVDs, it would be the inability to know just how much time you need to commit to a particular topic. It would be very helpful to me, as the teacher, and to the kids, as students, to know what we're in for. 36 minutes into Order of Operations, Caleb turned it off. It may have only had another 4 minutes. I don't know. It may have had another 30 minutes. I don't know. Having the duration of the topic available either on the DVD while it's playing or on the DVD case would be very helpful for planning purposes.

Here's a little clip from MathTutor on YouTube


The second DVD I reviewed was:

The Texas Instruments TI-83 / TI-84 Calculator Tutor
8 Hour Video Tutorial
Price: $26.99



Let me just say I am speaking as someone who cannot figure out how to set the time on a DVD player. I can guarantee that I need a tutorial for a calculator that looks like this ...



This 3 DVD set is 8 hours long. Is it any wonder I need a tutorial! There are 37 sections which are guaranteed to help you unlock the full potential of your TI Calculator. I understand this calculator will do everything you need except make your cup of coffee in the morning. Well, having to choose between the great frustrations of reading a little booklet that came with the calculator with print smaller than the size of this text or watching this Math Tutor DVD video, I'd choose the Math Tutor DVD every time!

Math Tutor DVDs are the #1 Rated Math and Physics Tutorial DVDs. All DVDs are guaranteed to raise grades or your money back.

Here's the scoop on the company and their products:

Visit Math Tutor DVD or call 877-MATH-DVD for additional information.

The DVDs I reviewed (Pre-Algebra Tutor Volume 1 and TI-83 / TI-84 Calculator Tutor) were $26.99 each. You can find out pricing on many of their other DVDs by going to their website. In addition, Math Tutor has recently made all DVDs available to watch on-line 24/7 for a monthly fee of $19.95.

So, do you know how to graph statistical scatter plots? I do. Thanks to Math Tutor DVD!



I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse 2010-2011 Crew and receive free products and services in exchange for a thorough and honest review. Though I am compensated with free products, I am not compensated in the form of cash for my reviews. My reviews will always reflect my honest opinions, findings, beliefs and experiences on the products and services that I receive.

A Day at the Lake

Yesterday was a wonderful day spent with family. It's the last big family get together while the weather is still warm. The kids always love hanging out together regardless of what they are doing. Besides lots of fabulous food prepared by all the girls in the family, Labor Day usually involves fishing at the lake.

Enjoy the end of summer!


Caleb setting sail (well, you know what I mean!)


Caleb with his six-year-old cousin, Braden, who is a very patient fisherman


Rachel getting ready to tackle some fish


Rachel caught three fish, three different times, and all three fish got away. Each time, we all got excited as she was reeling it in only to share in her disappointment as it jumped back in the lake. We finally realized the hook on her line was just too small for the size of these bass. Uncle Gary helped change the hook, so here she is trying once again.

In a matter of two minutes, she reeled in this nice catch.

And, no, I do not take the fish home and clean them and cook them and eat them.

Been there. Done that.

When my kids decide they want to eat fish, we'll try it again. Did I mention the last time we tried taking the catch home for dinner, poor Rachel cried when we started to cut off their heads.

For now, we'll just stick to kissing them goodbye (yes, it's a tradition) and throwing them back in the lake!

Happy Tuesday, Friends!

SpellingCity TOS Product Review

I will start by asking a very simple question: SpellingCity, "Where have you been all of my homeschooling life?"

I happen to be one of those old-fashioned people that think spelling matters. Now, that doesn’t mean I don’t make mistakes...I’m sure I due, alot. With all of the social networking sites along with texting and e-mailing, it becomes very clear that spelling isn’t a high priority for a lot of folks.

I know. It’s driving me crazy too. But I will leave it there just to make a point.

Spelling matters.

SpellingCity has taken the old-fashioned way of learning to spell and completely flipped it on its head.

When I look back on those early days of learning to spell, I remember a piece of paper with a list of words written down the left side with a fold down the middle. This allowed me to practice each word by covering the word list, spelling a word from memory, and then checking the written word for accuracy. Not exactly a great way to learn, but with persistence, it worked.

A number of years ago, my kids used a twisty contraption which allowed me to upload their spelling list each week. After pushing a button, it would say a word in a very robotic voice (sometimes the word was unrecognizable), and then allow the student to enter the word, one letter at a time. It was met with some resistance by my kids, but it worked as long as you could understand the robotic voice.

Enter SpellingCity.

Spelling is only one road that travels through SpellingCity. Check out this road map:

Vocabulary - Help for all ages and subjects.
Phonics - Import a SpellingCity phonics-based word list.
Writing - Parents can customize the writing instructions!
Handwriting - Handwriting practice with spelling lists is a perennial favorite.
Alphabetical order - It's hard with paper and pencil but easy with SpellingCity.
Spelling - TestMe, HangMouse, MissingLetter, SpeedySpeller and more!

SpellingCity began as a labor of love by a group of web savvy educationally-minded parents who felt there was a need to create a useful educational site. The site went live in January 2007. Future enhancements include thousands of more words (there’s already over 43,000), a variety of new games, simplified list saving, definitions, synonyms, antonyms, capability of saving student records, and a comprehensive spelling list/course.

Facts and features to consider:

• Innovative interactive educational site used to help children of all ages improve their spelling skills and expand their vocabulary

• Used by teachers and parents to teach students how to spell by creating and saving individual and unique spelling lists

• Enforce the elements of spelling and vocabulary through interactive learning

• Offers over 43,000 words and sentences

• Each of word is spoken by a "real" human voice to offer the student more clarity

• With each created list, a student has the option to: Teach Me, Test Me, or Play A Game

• "Teach Me" allows students to reflect on each word of their spelling list while the list and coordinating sentence are being read aloud.


• "Test Me" allows students to take a test from any spelling list at any time. This test option gives the students the ability to hear just the word or have a sentence read.
  
  
• "Play A Game" allows students to play a variety of learning games with any spelling list. Games such as HangMouse, Word Search, and Unscramble.

Learning how to use SpellingCity is amazingly simple. I absolutely loved their how to videos, so I watched all of them! They were only a minute or two long and very easy to watch and understand. Honestly, I think they thought of everything!

With all of the features SpellingCity offers, I was certain it would cost a small fortune. I was wrong! SpellingCity is a free site. Yes, that’s right. It’s free.

If, however, you have the desire to...

• Automatically track student test scores so you don’t have to grade tests or record scores
• Track students' activities on SpellingCity
• Provide a gradebook and individual records
• Enable Premium Games, LetterFall and SpeedySpeller
• Read the students’ writing exercises, respond to them, and keep records, all online



you may want to consider a Premium Membership. The Premium Membership is only $24.99 for an entire year for a family with up to five students. That’s about $2 a month. Classroom memberships are also available for up to 30 students for $49.99.



I think SpellingCity is a great teaching tool and highly recommend it. But don’t take my word on it. Just look at the list of awards they have received:

iParenting Media Award
Abacus Cool Tech Award
Teachers’ Choice Award for the Family
ClickSchooling Award
Teachers’ Choice Award for the Classroom
Parents’ Choice Award
Distinguished Achievement Awards Finalist
Golden Lamp Awards Finalist
Homeschool.com - Top 100 Site
The American Library Association – Great Web Sites for Kids
Larry Ferlazzo – Top 5 Choice for Best Online Learning Games
ThePioneerWoman
SmartBoard/Promethean

Here's the product scoop:



Vendor Name and Contact Information: SpellingCity.Com
Age Range: 2nd Grade on up
Price: FREE or $24.99 for a one-year Premium Membership

Happy spelling, my friends!

P.S. And just to clear things up...I'm sure I do, a lot! (Make mistakes, that is!)

I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse 2010-2011 Crew and receive free products and services in exchange for a thorough and honest review. Though I am compensated with free products, I am not compensated in the form of cash for my reviews. My reviews will always reflect my honest opinions, findings, beliefs and experiences on the products and services that I receive.

My Jesus Story - Part 3

I really don't remember where I was or what I was doing when I received the phone call about my brother's accident. I just remember hearing the words, "He broke his neck and he's paralyzed."

It just so happens that my parents gave my two brothers rhyming names. The family joke was when you called one, they both came running.

I can remember hearing people talking and saying, "No, you must mean the other brother." No. It was this brother too. Two brothers. Two broken necks. One year apart. One paralyzed. One not.

Both of my brothers are younger than me. But this brother was the one who disappeared from my mind's eye and memory during those five years of being a pretend housewife and mother. He was always very independent and did things his way. He got himself in some trouble over the years. No one ever seemed to be surprised. I think some just expected it.

My brother was fearless. He did crazy stuff. He loved motorcycles. He raced dirt bikes. His accident occurred while he was preparing for a race. He was flying over one hill to another (the jump trick has a name, but I don't know what it is). He undershot the jump and came down hard. He broke ribs. His lung was crushed. He was paralyzed.

Late that night I found myself standing alone in a hospital intensive care room. All the lights were off. The only light came from the glow of equipment that surrounded him. He was unconscious. He didn't know I was there.

Even now the tears flow. I still can't believe I can see this scene in my mind's eye like a movie playing back.

I realized as I was standing there that I didn't even know my own brother. He was a stranger to me.

In the year between my youngest brother's accident and this brother's accident, I had bought my first home. I don't really remember what all I was thinking on the long drive back from the hospital that night, but I just needed to get there. I needed to find that same spot next to my bed.

And it was there I found myself again crying out to God, the same God who had heard me a year before, begging and pleading for my brother's life. "I don't even know him, Lord. Please don't let him die." It was here, next to my bed, that I recalled the promises I had made to read my Bible and pray every day. I had kept them. In doing those two things, I had come to realize that I was not living my life in a way that was pleasing to God. I was still the same old girl I used to be. I was living in sin and I knew it. For now I knew what God had to say about sin and I was in trouble. I knew at that moment in time I needed to make Him Lord of my life. I turned it all over...everything that gripped my heart and held me captive. And it was there I found a love that would never let me go.

After a very long hospital stay, my brother left in a wheelchair. He refused to move back home where someone could care for him. He was going to handle this new chapter in his life his way. And he did.

Since this is my story, I won't share my brother's story today. Maybe down the road I will do that. I will say that my brothers both knew, because I told them, how their accidents impacted my life. They both knew that God used their story to change my story. I don't believe for a second that God devised this horrible plan that my brothers would suffer for my account. No, I believe God used their stories and opened my blind eyes to see how great a need I had. No amount of money nor stuff nor man could ever fill the gaping hole that was inside my heart. There was only One who could fill that hole and He had found me.

My brother passed away very unexpectedly five and a half years ago (2005). He died the day before he was to turn 40. We later found that he had succumbed to pulmonary edema as a result of his paralysis.

God allowed me time to get to know my brother. It wasn't always an easy journey. He had this way of driving me crazy. He would lick his lips before he would kiss me. He knew it made me nuts and so he did it all the more. When I would bend over to hug him, he would grab me and try to pull me down. At the time, I didn't think it was funny. It often made me mad. But I loved his determination. I adored his smile. I spoke to my brother the week he died. We always told one another, I love you. Just the night before as I was talking with my father on the phone, I heard him say in the background, "I love you little seester!" and I told him I loved him back. I didn't know I would never hear those words again.

Oh, how incredibly kind and merciful He has been to me. To hear my cries and answer them in ways I never imagined.

There was a song I would listen to over and over and over again. It was my song for my story. A long time ago I loaned the cassette to someone and never got it back. But I found it on YouTube, so here it is. After all these years, the tears still come. Whoever created this video used Bible verses to tell His story...the same verses that pierced my heart and opened my eyes. Amazing!

Steve Camp, He Is All You Need



Still loving Him,


P.S. Next time I'll talk about how my life changed when Jesus became my Lord.

Mr. Wonderful Turns 50!

Braking News...

We interrupt this story to tell the world that fifty years ago today, the globe came to a screeching halt as it welcomed a beautiful bouncing, blond haired, blue-eyed, baby boy.

His happy parents never considered their unborn child might be a boy, so they only had one name picked out. Diana Lynn. Thankfully, they didn't call him Diana Lynn, but the little boy went home without a name.

Not to worry. After a few days, they finally figured out what to do. Even though he was their second-born son, he was named after his father and made a "Junior."

His petite little mama kindly reflects on the momentous occasion of the birth as she remembers how her little boy, weighing in at just over 9 pounds, came with a set of chompers and left the hospital eating baby food. Her little baby boy grew very quickly as he ate her out of house and home. We're serious, folks. He literally ate his bed. The doctor was horrified.

The little boy grew and grew and grew and so did his number of siblings. There were six boys in all. They never did get to use the name Diana Lynn.

The days and years came and went. He worked hard. He put himself through school. And he worked hard some more.

Then something happened. Something quite unexpected. He met her.

His name was changed to Mr. Wonderful when he married the girl who loved him with all her heart. She knew he was the kindest man she had ever met. He loved her and took care of her and treated her like she was a princess. He was everything she had read about in fairy tales except he was real.

Loving.
Gentle.
Kind.
Genuine.
Humble.
Patient.
Good.
Faithful.

and Wonderful.

I love you, Mr. Wonderful.

Happy Birthday!



P.S. I love you again.

My Jesus Story - Part 2

My mother announced on Christmas morning she was leaving. In my mind's eye, I can see this day just like it was yesterday. We were unwrapping gifts in front of the Christmas tree. She moved out on New Year's Day.

This is my story, not my mother's story. I will say that I believe with all my heart that my mother and father raised me with the best intentions. But I was not raised in a Christian home. Jesus knew that.

I was 18 years old when my mother left. My youngest brother had turned 11 that summer. My older sister had graduated from high school early and had moved out of state. I cannot even remember where my other brother was. He would have been almost 15 at the time. I think he just disappeared. I was working full-time at a law firm. In an instant, my life had changed. I went from being a carefree teenager to taking on the role of a full-time housewife, and a self-imposed mother to my youngest brother.

My father was devastated. I watched a man who had been a tower of strength collapse inside himself. I would imagine that when a wife leaves her husband, for whatever reason, it does something to the inner man. I became his shoulder to cry on.

As a self-imposed mother to my little brother, I did what any loving big sister would do. I tried to do everything for him my mother couldn't do. I made sure he had new clothes. I kept the house clean. The laundry was always kept up. I made sure supper was on the table. I tucked him in at night and always kissed him and told him I loved him. We became best friends. I fondly remember him coming into my bedroom and telling me about a girl he liked at school. And so this became my life for the next five years. I was happy to do it.

Over those five years, I became hardened. I had seen so much weeping and sorrow that I didn't care if I ever saw another person cry again. Something in me had changed. I could no longer cry.

After five years of being a pretend housewife and mother, I finally came to the point in my life where I had had enough. I felt like my life had been placed on hold. Many of my friends had gotten married and had babies. I had a great job and was making a lot of money. So I moved out and was finally able to live my life the way I wanted. I was 23 years old. Unfortunately, my unwritten goals were centered around making money, spending money, and meeting men. I worked around people where all of those things became easy. In order to save money, I moved back home a year later.

And so it was one day, as I was sitting in a business meeting, the secretary walked in and interrupted the meeting. I was called away to a phone where I was told my little brother, now 19, had been in a car accident. Actually, that day happened 22 years ago today. An older woman driving on a busy four-lane road, thought she had enough time and clearance and turned in front of him. He swerved to miss her and hit a steel telephone pole head-on. The force of the impact melted his corduroy pants where his knees hit the dashboard. His head hit the steering wheel. His neck was broken.

I remember going to the hospital, but I don't really remember any of the details of that day. I just remember what happened when I got home late that night.

I didn't know what to do. Somehow in the recesses of my mind, I remembered that one Bible verse I had memorized at Vacation Bible School so many years before.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

So I got down on my knees next to my bed and I started bartering with God. My brother was my best friend and I was willing to do anything, anything at all, if God would just keep my brother from dying. My prayer went something like this: God, if you will just keep my brother safe, I will do anything. I will read my Bible every day, even though I don't understand any of it. And I will pray every day, even though I don't need anything.

You see, I had never really heard anyone pray. Well, you know, pray pray. I thought the only time you prayed was when you needed something. I made those two promises and I kept them. I read my Bible every single day. And I prayed every single day. When I prayed it would start with something like, "Hi. It's me again." It was a funny thing, reading my Bible. After about a month of reading it every day, the eyes of my heart started to open. The words became alive to me. I didn't know a thing about reading the Bible. I'm sure I started in Genesis, but I can't remember. But you know, God was so faithful to me. In time, He spoke to my heart and began to show Himself to me.

Please know that I did not promise to do anything else. I didn't promise to go to church. I didn't promise to change my ways. I was still the same old girl I used to be.

My brother was in traction for weeks. I remember being at the hospital and cleaning the wounds where metal rods were drilled in his skull. He was scheduled for surgery. We were told he was the only spinal injury on the floor that wasn't paralyzed. There was a chance the surgery would leave him paralyzed. He had metal rods and screws placed in his neck. His surgery was a success. He wasn't paralyzed. He got to come home. I was so thankful.

I kept reading my Bible. I kept praying.

One year and three days later, I received another phone call. This time it was concerning my other brother. He had been in an accident. His neck was broken.

My Jesus Story - Part 1

Twenty-two years ago this week, I met a man. His name is Jesus. My life was changed and it's never been the same.

I thought it might be best to break my Jesus story into smaller pieces. Some people who meet Jesus have more dramatic stories to tell. I am one of them. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but it's my thing. It's my story. And I am thankful for it.

Some background...

I grew-up in the country. I lived at the same address all of my growing-up years. I lived in a modest home on a large wooded piece of property. I loved horses and most any creature that found its way to our home. Stray dogs and cats were always welcomed. I always thought I lived the life of a girl in a fairy tale.

My father often worked two to three jobs to make ends meet and to put food on the table. My mother stayed home until my youngest brother went to school. There were four kids. I have an older sister and two younger brothers. We fought like cats and dogs and mostly hated each other. Seriously.

I didn't know it until much later, but my mother was addicted to prescription drugs for most of my middle to high school years. I suppose back then nobody knew or talked about such things. Doctors gave out medicine like it was candy, kinda like they do today, except most people today know the side-effects. Valium was my mother's escape. I don't say that to be disrespectful or to make light of the situation. The truth is, she cared for her mother (my Grandma Meme) after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She died at our home. I think her doctor thought he was doing my mother a big favor when he prescribed her Valium. Maybe he thought it would help her cope with the gravity of my grandmother's death. Honestly, I don't know. I could never figure out why the house was always a mess and why my mother was always asleep on the sofa.

I always looked to my father like he was a knight in shining armor, riding on the beautiful white horse, coming to my rescue. I knew he was there to protect me and provide for me. My father always seemed to be happy (when he and my mother weren't fighting), but when he got mad, buddy did we ever know it. He never had to raise his voice. His blue eyes would dance and his jaw would tighten and move back and forth. My father had a paddle he made out of piece of maple. It had holes drilled in it so it could swing quickly. He kept it on top of the refrigerator. When he reached for it, you knew you were in a big world of hurt.

When it came to "religion" we got to experience just about everything. My mother grew-up Catholic. I can remember going to church with my grandmother. She would kneel on a little bench to pray. My grandmother accepted Jesus as her savior three days before she died. I remember being at the wake and having the priest scorn me in front of everyone for attempting to take part in communion. I didn't know any better. I was only ten years old. I wasn't Catholic. I wasn't anything. We were introduced to Jehovah's Witnesses and went to a Bible study at someone's house. We were also involved with Mormonism for a while. We also went to a Bible believing church for a short time. None of it made any sense to me. Nothing fit together.

My father's mother sang in the church choir. She went to church just down the street. It was a little country church with stained glass windows and a tall steeple topped with a cross. I remember going to church with her. I would often hold her hand which always seemed to be covered with a soft leather glove. She would sing songs that were so pretty. Songs like The Old Rugged Cross and In the Garden. I learned those songs as a child and never forgot them.

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

Hard work usually paid off. I started working when I was ten. I got a paper route. I started paying rent to live at home when I was a sophomore in high school. I also bought all of my own school clothes and anything I needed personally (from laundry soap to shampoo). I bought my own senior pictures too. These were hard lessons to learn, but I learned from them. And looking back, I am thankful. A little bit of hard work never hurt anyone.

I'll pick back-up tomorrow where my mother announced on Christmas morning she was leaving.

Go back up there and read the words to the last refrain. And He tells me I am His own. Do you see those words? Then don't feel sad. Jesus is drawing near to this very messed-up young girl. She just didn't know it.