Review: Accountable2You (TOS Review) #hsreviews #internetaccountability #internetsafety

For this review we tried out the Family Plan of Accountable2You.  Pornography is a growing problem today, mostly because access to it has never been easier.  It has most recently be labeled the “new drug” and families everywhere are taking precautions against it.  Unfortunately the temptation is there for many, and many are striving to overcome this serious addiction.  Whether you or someone you love is struggling with pornography addiction, or you want to take precautions to safeguard yourself, or loved ones from the grasp of it’s ravenous claws, this program would be a great tool for you!  

We have filters on our computer, we are very careful about what our children have access too, as well as safeguarding ourselves (my husband and I).  We have strict rules about internet use and location of use. However, you never know!  Router filters don’t work if you aren’t at home, and pornography makers are often sneaking and find the means to infiltrate our homes. 

Accountable2you is NOT a filter.  It’s a accountability program that allows an individual to be responsible for their own internet use.  Whether you are fighting a current addiction, or avoiding the pit of pornography, this program keeps you accountable!

It works by making an account, appointing an accountability partner and then installing onto your device.  Your accountability partner is then notified if you should access any questionable or highly questionable information on the web. 

If you use windows and have multiple accounts, it must be added to each individual account browser… ie, it’s on my account for chrome browser and also on my son’s account on his chrome browser.  For newer Kindles you must install the app. 

This program doesn’t need to be used JUST for pornography.  You can set up key words for which to be notified, as well as set time limits.  For example, my son has been known to window shop instead of do his school work!  I set key words such as Amazon, Target, Lego, Angry Birds and Minecraft.  You can opt for emails or text message, you can request instantaneous, or daily or weekly reports.  So, when my son accesses any of those keyword items, I receive a text message!  We played around with it a bit, to see how it would work!

If he triggers any of the words listed, I receive a test message that tells me exactly what website he was on and when. (it comes within 5 minutes of him accessing it).

I also set a time limit on his account, if he gets on the computer outside of the time parameters, I receive an email, stating when he was on and what websites he went to.  You can see below the email I received when he was on the computer before the 8am time limit.  Lucky for him, he was doing his math  

I also received some emails when I searched questionable words that are preprogrammed.  For example, I was purchasing a book from Amazon to help teach kids about the dangers of pornography, and received a red flag email.

Otherwise I receive daily emails, with a link to the history of that device.  Emails are only sent more often if there are red flagged items! You can opt for emails weekly instead of daily, with instant notifications via email or text message for questionable or highly questionable material.  Accountability partners are notified if the main account user makes any changes to their account, particularly to the list of questionable and highly questionable words.

This is a really great way to help someone overcome their addiction, or better yet to avoid the possibility of one at all!  It could be used to help maintain the amount of time someone spends online, to stop them from gaming or gambling online as well as other things.  The possibilities seem to be endless! 

Social Media Links
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/accountable2you
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/accountable2youllc

Review: Star Toaster - Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree (TOS Review) #hsreviews #readingsupplement #readingapp #readinggame

For this review we used the app Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree by Star Toaster on the iPad. 

This is our second review of a Star Toaster product.  This product was different, in that it is designed as an application for iPad and it was geared towards younger children (a lower reading level than the other product). 

I used this product with my 7 year old.  He loved it!  Unfortunately, he is not reading at the level this program required, so he was not able to use the product on his own.  (It would be great if the app read to you!).  His comprehension is on par, so I read the story to him and I read the questions and answer choices….he answered them.  If there was a vocal option, we would have loved this app even more!

Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree is a story about a flying squirrel named Abba.  The nearby town has been flooded when a dam broke and she is searching for her friends and family.

The story has highlighted words as you go along, which can be clicked on and that is where the lessons are given.  As you read through the chapters, you can perform jobs to earn items that are needed to take care of the orphans that Abba finds as she searches for her family and friends. 

We found it a tad distracting and that it broke up the story to click on each highlighted word, instead at the end of each chapter, we would click on the star at the bottom and then do the ‘training’ for the jobs before doing the jobs.  (If you clicked on the words during the story, the training would show as already completed, so either way works).

The pictures for the training and jobs match, so you know which training to do before which jobs.  The jobs consist of multiple choice questions, and points are earned.  You need a certain number of points to earn each necessary item.  Pictured above you need 20 points to earn the water barrel.  Items vary, and so do required points.

These are the types of items you earn to take care of the orphs (orphans)

At the end of each chapter you click on the star at the bottom and you are taken to a Stumptown, you can tell if their are jobs available by the numbers above the houses.

You do not need to complete jobs after each chapter, but my son liked to do it that way.  They just add up over time, some chapters end with more jobs than others. 

Some of the job trainings are audio/video based, but most are reading.  Again, an audio option would be awesome!  That’s the only thing missing from this!

The jobs cover a wide range of subjects, from science to language arts and more!

You can assign more than one user to the program too, which is great.  My 10 year old also has an account on the program, and while he found it interesting, I think he found it a bit simple for him.  He enjoyed the program we reviewed last time better, it was a higher level.

This type of program is perfect for my 7 year old, because he is one that digs his heels in when it comes to ‘school work’.  In this program he is learning and having fun and has no idea it’s ‘work’. 

The app is only $1.99, and is made for iPad or iPhone.  Parents are able to see their child’s work report too!  It’s designed for ages 9-11, but my 7 year old was able to do all of the jobs without a problem (minus the independent reading).  It’s a cute story and it’s filled with humor, which make it even more fun! 

We are huge fans of Star Toaster here!

Find them on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startoaster4kids
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarToaster

Review: Demme Learning Digital Pack, Delta (TOS Review) @mathusee #​mathusee #homeschoolmath​ #hsreview

For this review we got to check out the New Digital Packs from Demme Learning’s Math-U-See.  We used the Delta level.

We have used and loved Math-U-See before, so that aspect was not new to us, however, the digital packs brings a whole new element to the already great program of Math-U-See…..mobility! 

If you are not familiar with Math-U-See, it’s a hands on, mastery program.  Each level covers a different concept, for example:  Alpha is addition, Beta is subtraction, Delta is multiplication and Gamma is division.  They have a very unique way of introducing math, one that makes PERFECT sense!  It’s a great program for visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners, because it takes such a multi-sensory approach to learning.  The program consists of math blocks (a specialized variety of base ten blocks) and video instruction, as well as workbook application.

The Digital Packs, puts the video instruction on your device via the internet.  You can now watch the instructional videos on any portal device.  It also includes online, digital manipulatives!  Math is now portable and at your finger tips, as long as you have internet access (or a device that has 3G). 

Lessons typically consist of watching the instruction video.  Workbook pages follow, each lesson has 3 workbook pages (additional pages are able to printed from online if more practice is needed) of the newly taught/learned material and 3 pages that has new material AND review of old material.  I love that they revisit the old material to keep it fresh!  Since this is a mastery program, you can move ahead as fast or a slow as is needed to really grasp the concepts.  There is also a testing workbook available with tests for each lesson and each unit available. 

As mentioned, we have used and loved MUS in the past, but my son really enjoyed the digital aspect of the manipulatives and the ability to watch the lessons on the laptop or iPad.

I loved that the digital packs made the program more mobile, and also more affordable (no need to purchase the manipulatives, the instruction pack, or the CD song book!!  You will still need the student workbooks). 

Some down sides to the digital packs, however,are:

• The purchase is only good for a year, after 12 months you no longer have access to the item and would need to repurchase.
  
  
• The log in is sort of complicated.  You have to log into the store, and then click on My Digital Packs, then choose which pack you want to use (if you have more than one) and then go to the lesson you want to use.  I had to log my son in every time, it wasn’t something he could just get on and do himself. Also if the store was down, so was your access to your digital pack.

I would love to see this as a FULLY FUCTIONING DIGITAL program, and maybe in the future it will be.  I’d love for the workbook problems to be online as well, self correcting and score keeping!  That would make my life so much easier!! 

As it stands, however, this is a great way to have access to the high quality MUS program in a more portable fashion!  It makes homeschooling on the move (which tends to happen a lot, at least in our home) a lot easier!

We used the program 3-5 times a week during the review period.  We did 2 workbook pages per lesson (one new and one with review).  The concepts were easy for him and mostly review in the beginning lessons.  He would watch the lesson the first day, do the workbook page, the 2nd day he would do the workbook page with the review, and then repeat.  One of my favorite things about MUS is that you can easily move forward if concepts are easily grasped, or take your time on concepts that need more time! 

The Digital Pack is $38.00 for most levels, and the student pack is $40 for most levels.  You have 12 months access to the Digital Pack. 

Math-U-See goes from Primer (the lowest level) to Calculus. 

We have always recommended Math-U-See, and continue to do so.  The Digital Pack just makes a great math program even greater and more flexible in meeting the needs of homeschool families!

Find them online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mathusee
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mathusee/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mathusee 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mathusee

Our Favorite Apps for Kindle and iOS

My kids primarily use the Kindle for app play, however, we also have a family iPad that is used for schooling.  The iPad is mostly used for school work, such as Reading Eggs and Math Seeds as well as ABC Mouse (all need subscriptions), and then other things like CTC Math and Reading Kingdom (used in browser). Most apps I have listed below are available both at the Amazon Appstore and for iOS, I have not looked on Google Play, but you might be able to find them there as well.  These are just a small sample of the apps we have and use, I need to come up with a better organization method for them, we have so many that we forget about!  These are the FAVORITES, the ones they come back to time and time again and are enjoyed by more than just one child.

Favorite Apps for Preschool

Monkey Preschool Lunchbox

This app has counting, colors, shapes, beginning sounds, puzzles.  It has it all, and after so many rounds completed they get a sticker for their sticker wall.  My kids have loved this app (even the older ones find it amusing).  All my kids have loved this app and now it’s a favorite of my 2 year old! 

Endless  Alphabet

This app is great for preschool and app.  It introduces the sounds of the letters, new words and helps with spelling those words.  Not played as much these days, this was a favorite of my 5 yo (now almost 7) for sometime, he still plays it quite a bit.

Monkey Math School

A fun math game for the younger guys.  Great for PreK-K age group.  This app works on counting objects, patterns and other problems solving.  Monkey Preschool Lunchbox is a favorite of ours for the little guys, and this app is just as great!

Write My Name

This app is great and has really helped my newly turned 5 year old pick up on writing his name!  My 2 year old loves it as well!  You can take pictures to put with the names you program, as well as say the names.  The kids love writing each others names, and the dogs names too!  Lots of fun!  It also offers letter writing, and it says the name of each letter as you write it (when writing names).

We also really enjoy several of the Reading Eggs Apps, and Dr. Panda and other Toca Boca apps.

My 2 and 5 year olds LOVE animals.  These are 3 of his most favorite animal related educational apps.

Curious George Zoo

Help Curious George take care of the animals in the zoo.  Children learn about which animals live in which habitats and what they eat.  They can watch short video clips about each animal as well.  They can play games and collect stickers. They learn animal facts and how to follow directions.

(each section of the Kindle app is purchased separately, iOS app has in app purchases for further exploration, be sure to turn off in app purchases or passcode it!)

ABC Zooborns

A is for aardvark.  C is for cheetah.  Look at pictures, solve simple puzzles, learn animal facts and watch videos of cute baby animals several for each letter of the alphabet.

Wifi connection is needed for this app

Tizzy Zoo Veterinarian

Find the animals in the zoo that are in need of medical attention.  Help them by setting and casting broken bones, doctoring wounds, eliminating stomach viruses, etc.  It sounds complicated, but it’s not.  Perfect for ages 3-4 years old.

Lite version also available for FREE

Favorite apps for Science

Toca Lab

This is a fun app for all ages.  Exploring the elements, mix them and see reactions, etc.  My kids have had a ball, so much so that they don’t even realize it’s educational!!

Simple Physics

My dad use to own his own construction business when I was a kid, and he thought this was a cool app.  You have to build things to withstand the circumstances and try to do so for the least cost.  My 6yo and 9yo both enjoy this one, we are also fans of Simple Rockets and Simple Planes (newly added to our collection)

Bridge Constructor Medieval

Much like Simple Physics, this game has a bit of a historical twist.  The main point, however, is to build bridges.

Favorite Apps for Math

Madagascar Math Ops

Do you have an Angry Birds fan?  My 9yo is Angry Birds crazed, and could spend hours of mindless play of the game, which I refuse to allow.  Then I found this game!  Similar in concept to Angry Birds you have to launch penguins to free the animals, but FIRST you must solve some math problems!  They have problems geared towards 1st – 4th graders.  Parents can also go in and get report cards of their child’s progress in the math department.  Loads of fun!

*lite version also available

Math Slicer

Fruit Ninja fan?  Math slicer is a fun way to to practice those math facts!  It has addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  Slice through the correct answer, slice any eggs that pop up, get points and ‘buy’ prizes.

*lite version also available

Math Run

Another fun math game!

Favorite Apps for History and Geography

President’s vs Aliens

This game asks multiple choice trivia questions about the President’s of the United States throughout history, you earn rewards and use them to defeat the aliens that are attacking Washington.  Okay, it’s silly…but they are learning!  I have to admit I have learned as well, my son asks me the questions he doesn’t know, and we learn together!  It’s amazing how many president’s I had never even heard of!!

*Lite version also available

Stack the States

Another great quiz game!  Learn to identify shapes by states, location, what their capital is, etc.  Then try to stack the shapes on top of each other to reach past the indicated line!  My 7yo has a blast with this game!

*lite version also available

Brain Pop and Brain Pop Jr

You can access one free video a day (or week for JR version) without a subscription, as well as a handful of other free videos.  My kids really like these videos, and we have had subscriptions before (I think it’s well worth the cost and you can get them at discount through the Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op).  They have sort of tired of them, so have taken a break for now.
 

News O Matic

Current events for kids, there are 3 options choose by grade (1-2, 3-4, & 5+).  This is a great way for kids to learn about the things going on TODAY!  it’s on their level and in their language!

LDS Church Related Apps

LDS Hangman – Costs 99cents

There are 3 levels to choose from (Easy, Medium, Hard) which determines how many chance you get to guess the letters.  Another favorite of my 7yo, and the 9yo that sits in front of us also asked her mom to get this one!

LDS Articles of Faith Bubble Brains FREE  (there is also a 99cents version, not sure what the difference is)

Fun way to memorize the Articles of Faith, if you read the reviews you will see that there is one glitch, repeat words sometimes cause errors (so like more than one the, if you don’t hit the RIGHT the, it says it’s wrong), which can be too annoying for some, but we don’t mind too much.

LDS Scripture Mastery - FREE

You can add your own memory verses in to help you memorize them! 

This post is part of a TOS Round Up, see what others from the crew have to share by clicking below.  It goes live on the morning of Friday 1/22/16.