Disclosure of Material Connection:

Some of the links on this blog are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and/or believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Review: Children Learning Reading

An Ultra Simple, Super Effective System to Teach Your Child to Read

Children Learning Reading Stage 1 Children Learning Reading Stage 2
Children Learning Reading was designed by parents for parents.  It can be used with children as young as 2-3 years old (depending on your child).  The lessons are short, but effective.  You need spend only 10-15minutes a day on a lesson.  The lessons are based on phonetics and not whole word learning; so your child learns letters and sounds, and how to put them together to make a word.  This method builds a good foundation for reading.  The first 120+ pages of the text is FOR THE PARENTS and the lessons which follow are very easy to understand and implement. 
The program costs $49.95 and includes: 
(from the website)
Bonus #1: Stage 1 Lesson Stories
children learning reading storiesTo help make learning to read fun and engaging, our reading program includes lesson stories that are matched to the progress of your child's reading abilities.
These lessons stories are part of the learning program, and comes with colorful illustrations to make learning reading fun and engaging for you and your child.
These are the exact same stories and step-by-step lessons that we used to teach our own children to read!
Value: $14.95 yours Free
Bonus #2: Stage 2 Lesson Stories
children learning reading storiesSimilar to Stage 1, we also include stories with colorful illustrations for the Stage 2 of our reading program as well. These are slightly more advanced; however, they are engaging and fun to read for your child, offering plenty of practice for them to further develop their reading skills.
By the time your child begins with our Stage 2 lessons and Lesson stories, your child will have already developed a very solid foundation for reading, and the lessons and stories in stage 2 further advances your child's reading capabilities.
Value: $24.95 yours Free
Bonus #3: Letter Sound MP3 Audio Clips
children learning reading storiesAs you know by now, developing phonemic awareness is one of the most important aspects that's essential to achieve reading success. Phonemic awareness deals with phonemes which are the smallest units of sound. For example, the letter A makes the /a/ ("ah") sound.
However, as parents who went through this entire process we know how critical it is for you to know and be able to produce the proper sounds for all the letters of the alphabet. This is why we created a full set of mp3 audio clips demonstrating in detail on how to properly sound out each of the alphabet letters, so that you are better equipped to teach your child to sound out words, and read words, sentences, and stories.
Value: $49.95 yours Free
Bonus #4: The Most Common Sight Words
children learning reading storiesOur program is superb at helping children develop phonemic awareness and reading skills; however, the English language is not a simple and straightforward language where everything can be neatly categorized to fit certain rules of reading or decoding. There are many words that simply cannot be decoded or sounded out, and are known to the reader automatically. These are known as sight words.
Sight words are pronounced without decoding the spelling of the word, and we want to help you become aware of some of the most common sight words that you and your child will encounter. The more you know, the better you're able to teach your child to read.
Value: $14.95 yours Free
Bonus #5: Children's Favorite Nursery Rhymes
children learning reading storiesWith our program, you also receive a complete book of Children's Favorite Nursery Rhymes. With the reading skills that your child develop from our program, we want to give your child interesting and fun to read books.
Our Children's Favorite Nursery Rhyme contains 35 all time favorite nursery rhymes for children. Some of these are the most original rhymes such as My Son John, Betty Blue, Jack and Jill, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Little Boy Blue, Ring the Bells, The Lion and the Unicorn, and so much more. These are rhymes that your children will love to read.
Value: $14.95 yours Free
Bonus #6: Free Lifetime Upgrades!

For the six books and mp3 audio files included in our program, you will receive lifetime updates for free!
This is the awesome benefit of e-books. Whenever we release a new, updated edition of Children Learning Reading, you get it for FREE! We will simply contact you through our private, customer-only email list, and send you instant download instructions.
Value: $29.95 yours Free
SUPER BONUS #7 - Free One-on-One Counseling for 12 weeks
YES! 12 weeks, free private counseling advice and guidance from knowledgeable and experienced parents who has been through it all. We are just an email away, and if you feel you need some help and guidance, you can have your questions privately answered. We will personally respond to your emails.
This final super bonus is practically priceless. You'll have the comfort knowing that there's someone always there for you, to help you through with any difficulties and answer any questions you might have. With this free 12 week unlimited email support, you can be sure that you and your child are always on track, and you and your child will be able to complete the program effectively and achieve best results. Value: $199.95 yours Free

 

For an additional $19.95 you can also receive

Premium Package #1: Children Learning Reading Lesson Videos & Workshop

This set of videos is worth the price of the entire package in itself! This is a series of videos that documents a 12 week learning to read period we went through with our second child, Ethan, and it clearly demonstrates EXACTLY how we go about teaching our lessons that makes it not only possible, but so simple and effective to teach even a 2.5 year old toddler to read.
My Thoughts:
Reading programs are hard to review, because all children learn differently.  What works for one child may NOT work for another child.  However, with that said, I do feel that this program is set up effectively for children to learn.  I particularly like that the lessons are short. 
The only thing the lessons are missing are manipulatives, which are an important part of early learning.  When using this program with my 4yo, I used textured letter cards, for tracing the letters while sounding them out.  You cold also easily add a moveable alphabet, like what is used in the Montessori method, or magnet alphabets of any variety.  These items would be a great addition to this program, particular if your child is a hands-on learner (though all children under the age of 8 benefit greatly from hands-on).

I agree with the author that early learning is very important, however, I don’t necessarily share his opinion of learning to read at a young age.  My only advice, should you chose to use this program with your younger children, is to not force it on them, only engage them if they are interested and enjoying it.  There are many ways to stimulate a child’s brain in the younger years, all of which are beneficial.
I will continue to use these lessons with my (almost) 4yo with the use of manipulatives as mentioned previously. He is not 100% into the lessons, but we will continue to visit them as long as he is cooperative.   
More Information:
The creator of this program has an in detailed description of his program, with lots of video footage of his own children, on his website.  I highly recommend you visit the site and listen to his explanations and watch the examples of the program results.  I’ll admit it is very impressive!
The only question I have in regards to the program, and the success of teaching children at such a young age to read is in regards to their comprehension ability…..It is quite common for good readers at young ages to not be on the same level in their comprehension of their reading. 
Disclaimer:  I received a portion of this product for free in exchange for my honest review.  I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.  All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.































Tuesday, February 26, 2013

YW March Lesson–What is the Atonement?

Here is the handout I have for my lesson coming up the first Sunday of March.  Wanted to share.

atonement-001

I’ve also been using the book recommended on The Red Headed Hostess Blog by Anthony Sweat and John Hilton III titled The Big Picture.  It’s a GREAT resource and I highly recommend it.  It is available as an ebook with the FREE app by Deseret Books called Deseret Bookshelf (for apple and android devices).

Not just for youth leaders, I recommend it if for youth and parents alike!  (or anyone really, for that matter!).

Recipe Share–Italian Casserole

cooking button-001
Ingredients:
1 lb Italian Sausage (remove casing and brown)
1 small onion chopped
2 stalks celery chopped
1 large (or 2 small) cans of stewed tomatoes
1 T Italian Seasoning
1 t Oregano
1/2 t Crushed Red Pepper (or more if you like hot)
2-3 small (or 1 really big) Zucchini, sliced
2 oriental eggplants sliced (or one eggplant cubed)
Sliced Cheese (Muenster, Mozzarella or Provolone)

Brown Sausage, add eggplant, stewed tomatoes, onion, celery and seasonings.  Simmer for 1/2 hour.  Add zucchini – cook for 15mins longer.  Transfer to oven safe dish and cook on 350 for 15min (or if you use an oven safe skillet, no need to transfer).  Add cheese to top and cook an additional 15 minutes.  Broil at end to brown cheese. 
To bulk it up a little more I sometimes add rice, you can bake it with the rice or just serve it over rice or quinoa. 
ENJOY!!
This recipe was adapted from a recipe entitled Zucchini Casserole that I received from a friend several years ago.  Sorry I don’t have a picture, I’ll try to remember to take one and add it next time I make it!
I served this at a church pot luck recently and EVERYONE was asking me for the recipe!
Photobucket

Monday, February 25, 2013

Weekly Workboxes - Reptiles for Preschool




Most of our activities this week are focused on turtles, but primarily we are learning about reptiles, hence the variety of books!

From Pre-Kinders with pattern blocks

Tt tray




From Confessions of a Homeschooler, with buttons (I got this idea from Train up a Child)

Safari LTD Reptiles Toob - find the match (it comes with two of each kind of snake and lizard)

Counting clip cards from 2 Teaching Mommies

Counting turtle cards from Confessions of a Homeschooler with turtles from Safari LTD Frogs and Turtles Toob


Sunday, February 24, 2013

First Grade - Ancient Greece and Life Cycles


Here is what we did fun this week!

We are studying Ancient Greece, and he got an Ancient Greece: Treasure Chests , filled with lots of really cool things.  They are hard to find, but I was able to score an unopened one for a decent price!

Cutting and pasting History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations  Both of the items are suggested resources for Pandia Press - History Odyssey Ancients I.

Frog Life Cycle and Metamorphosis - Complete (4 steps) v/s Incomplete (3 steps)
The cards are from Montessori Print Shop - Toddler Bundle (same I used for my tots)

We are also currently working on 2 products for review...so stay tuned!

C read:
Picture of Story of the Olympics  YR2

I just recently purchased a wide range of chapter books for C in hopes to peak his independent reading interests a bit more (he likes to read but tends to shy towards the easier books, even though he can read harder books)....he has thumbed through a few, but has yet to actually read them...time will tell.  During the school week, I put several book choices that go with our topic for him to choose from for that week, some he reads quickly...others he takes the entire week (only reads a chapter a day).  I leave that to him, but encourage him to try and read at least 2 chapters.  

We read:
Picture of Greek Myths for Young Children
and they are almost done with the first Percy Jackson!

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Preschool Wrap-Up (Week 23)

This week was so much fun!  The kids could not get enough FROGS!










We started Handwriting Without Tears PreK this week,Left Z is banging Big Lines together to the song on Get Set for School Sing Along.  The wooden pieces were purchased from Handwriting Without Tears website  

We also started Happy Phonics this week....to start it's really simple, playing matching games, and distinguishing What is Different?  I printed several FROG/POND related What is Different Pages from the following FREE printable packs

We also have 2 preschool products we are working on right now for review - Math and Art!  I'm excited to share both of them with you soon!  

For links to the printables shown, and to see what else was in the workboxes this week, visit Weekly Workbox post from Monday.  

I'm linking up with Tot School and MANY MORE...see the right sidebar!

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