Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Activity, Change, Progress

Product Review

Video Based Homeschool Art (No Teaching Involved)

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Homeschool Art @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I just couldn’t resist showing you a few more art lessons that Tiny did from Atelier Homeschool Art.

Also, check out his beautiful tropical bird art lesson that he did earlier.

Video based art lessons have been a nice change this year because we have used book based curriculum in the past.

I’m loving the part where I don’t have to teach.

Tiny learned about how the Greek put their art on everything and then he did a lesson about the Olympics.

Also, there is an art lesson about positive and negative space and how to create mirror images, which I found fascinating.

Also, he did some opt art.

He found it pretty cool using hexagons to cover the page and then pick the colors though he tried to stay with the more abstract look and colors.

Homeschool Art (For the Non-Artsy Homeschooled Kid)

Look at this snippet about the videos.

All Atelier art lessons are presented on video, and reinforced by lesson plans.

Not only are the videos a rich source of creative ideas and inspiration, it also clarifies the objectives, materials, techniques and procedures of each lesson.

Abundant instructional coverage, as well as that of students in a virtual art class performing the lesson and displaying their finished artwork, consistently produces exceptional student results and learning, regardless of the art background of the parent teacher.

You can try a free preview of the curriculum by clicking here.

I have a review coming up soon, but just had to tell you about this if you’re considering art curriculum for next year.

How do you fit art into your day?

Hugs and love ya,

Signature T

 

Homeschool Art (Art Lessons From Home)

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Homeschool Art without leaving your home. Try video based lessons. @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

We have been using a new homeschool art program and I am tickled to give you a sneak peek. I always say this, but I choose which products I get to review in our homeschool. It’s important to me that you know that because I weed through a lot of useless programs, but when I find a jewel, like Atelier Homeschool Art, I get excited to tell you about it.

The art lesson Tiny finished today (btw, he is so proud of this painting and drawing) was a lesson in color.

As you can see above in his painting, he had to use the color wheel to mix each color and use all 12 colors of the color wheel to paint a tropical bird.

Homeschool Art (For the Non-Artsy Homeschooled Kid)

The part I like best about the art is that we haven’t had to leave the house to add some fun to our day. The art lessons are video based.

Too, you know Tiny and I both run the other way when it comes to art. It’s not that we don’t like it, but Tiny, like me just feels like he is not very good at it.

Trying to keep the focus on fun while learning some advanced techniques is not an easy feat. But I especially like the part where I don’t have to teach the class.

Look at this snippet about the videos.

All Atelier art lessons are presented on video, and reinforced by lesson plans.

Not only are the videos a rich source of creative ideas and inspiration, it also clarifies the objectives, materials, techniques and procedures of each lesson.

Abundant instructional coverage, as well as that of students in a virtual art class performing the lesson and displaying their finished artwork, consistently produces exceptional student results and learning, regardless of the art background of the parent teacher.

You can try a free preview of the curriculum by clicking here. I love when companies offer this because it gives me a chance to test drive the curriculum.

So far Tiny has done a lesson about space and composition, contour line drawing, color and now he is working on some other favorites. Our next lesson is art history.

I can’t wait to show you his other work.


I have a review coming next month, but just had to tell you about this if you’re considering art curriculum for next year.

Also, look at these fun ideas:

Do you fit art into your day?

Hugs and love ya,
Signature T

When You Are Afraid of Homeschool Science Gaps

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

When You're Afraid of Homeschool Science Gaps @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I was given a free copy of this book and I was paid for my time. However, paid for my time does not mean paid off.  ALL opinions are my own and for sure I will always tell you what is on my mind. Your experience may vary. When I do accept a review it’s because I am giddy to tell you about it. Read my full disclosure here.

Homeschool science gaps or holes in what we’re teaching can make us panic, but we have many resources at our finger tips, which can lessen homeschool fears and one valuable tool is Air Is Not Oxygen: Essential Science You Should Have Learned … But Probably Didn’t.

Did You Miss these Essential Science Concepts?

First, look at these three other posts, Free Moon Journal, Electricity Hands on Science Activity and Erosion Easy Hands-on Science Activity where I share easy hands-on activities from Air Is Not Oxygen because I don’t want you to miss them and the free printable.

There were several things that drew us in to want to use and review Air Is Not Oxygen, but the main lure I was giddy about was that it explains science concepts in a way easy to understand.

This reminds me of other curriculum that we have been drawn to that gives us the broad strokes, which I feel are important for several reasons.

One| Covering the essentials are stepping stones to in depth studying.

I have always confessed that I run the other way from science topics, but not my boys.

Tiny is no exception. So not only am I sure that he is covering essentials, which are easily explained like Newton’s laws and changes in the earth, but having a basic framework gives Tiny a foundation on which to build a solid science study.

Two| Broad strokes means mastery.

Mastery learning appeals to both a student that is advanced or a student that struggles with basic concepts.

This means that Air Is Not Oxygen can be used with elementary aged children or kids getting ready to enter high school, who may not have covered basic science concepts adequately.

For a child that is younger and has a love for science, they’ll love mastering concepts quickly instead of using a spiral approach to science.

Also, Air Is Not Oxygen is a great fit for an older student who may feel like he is behind. Quickly covering basic essentials gives a high school student a boost in science and can rekindle his love for science.

Three| If a mom student is science phobic, he’ll love this book.

I was especially drawn to this book because it fits the way I think kids and adults should learn when they may not like a subject.

With few details and emphasis on hands-on activities within each chapter, it makes learning science simple, fun and interactive.

What Would Your Ideal Homeschool Science Curriculum Contain?

Air Is Not Oxygen draws you into the subjects because they are witty, short and concise.

When you’re short on time (who isn’t these days), you’ll love the fact that many of the supplies for science activities are things like paper cups, plastic spoons, pie pans and straws, which are things you have around your house.

I don’t need another exhaustive list to make of science supplies we wouldn’t use later. I like uncomplicated supplies and your kitchen and home will have most of the supplies.

For quite a few of the activities, Tiny just gathered up the supplies and he was ready to go.

Did I mention the chapters are short? Tiny easily read the book in just a few days.

Of course, we went back and did the activities, but the short chapters with simple explanations was a huge hit with him.

I like the What You Learned bullets at the end of the chapter because it made for a quick review.

And if I could make up my own science curriculum it would certainly be a lot like Air Is Not Oxygen  , with no worksheets, lots of easy hands-on activities to do with multiple ages of children and a review.

If you are like me, you want to be able to explore curriculum freely and jump around from topic to topic. I gave Tiny the book and instead of reading it in order, he started with Newton’s Laws, went to the chapter on electricity and headed over to earth changes, then fossils and after that I can’t remember.

I love the fact that Tiny could skip around and learn what interested him first and I can plan our unit studies by picking and choosing activities that match our unit study topic.

You’ll want to include this nifty resource in your must-haves for science curriculum.

Product Facts a Glance 2

Here are a few other things you’ll want to know that made a difference to me.

  • Author Bill Morelan, Ph.D is a pioneer homeschooler, teaching his two daughters at home in the early 1980s. Both of his girls went on to achieve advanced degrees, and today one is a highly-respected elementary teacher, while the other is actively involved in the homeschool movement.
  • The book covers physical, life and earth and space science.
  • It is a multiple age resource and that includes adults who may be lacking in their science education.
  • It is a super resource for myth busters, like air is not oxygen.
  • It meets the national Science Standards.
  • Concepts are simplified for clarity.
  • Each chapter has more than one hands-on activity.

Purchase the book here: Air Is Not Oxygen: Essential Science You Should Have Learned … But Probably Didn’t!
Grades: elementary to high school
Type of Format: paperback
Price: $12.95

I highly recommend this book if you are a science phobic teaching mama, have a kid that loves science or one that feels he may have missed out on some essential concepts.

Hugs and love ya,

Tina Signature 2015c

All product information is correct and accurate as of the date of this review.

Also, grab these free resources to round out a study about life, physical and earth science.

Learn About Leap Year Free Notebooking Page, Human Body Unit Study and Five Free and Fun Hands-on Science Activities.

 

Atomidoodle Chemistry Game App

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I am so thankful to Hero Factor Games so that my boys don’t have to depend on their mom’s science prowess or should I say lack of it when it comes to learning science and especially chemistry.

Atomidoodle Chemistry Game App

Wildly, I was waving my hands asking Hero Factor Games pick me, pick me to review their Atomidoodle app and I am so glad they did. We love this game app and Tiny just can’t put it down!

Let me back up first because you remember I shared with you my post about starting Chemistry this year with Tiny. And you know how important it is to me that subjects, even at the middle and high school level stay fun.

That is just what Atomidoodle does. What a treasure find for us.

Who knows maybe I won’t have to teach chemistry at all this year with this awesome app? (okay, okay).  Let me tell you how it works though.

Atomidoodle Chemistry Game App @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I was given a free download of Atomidoodle and I was paid for my time. However, paid for my time does not mean paid off.  ALL opinions are my own and for sure I will always tell you what is on my mind. Your experience may vary. When I do accept a review it’s because I am excited to tell you about it. Read my full disclosure here.

How to Bring the Periodic Table of Elements to Life

Atomidoodle is a virtual chemistry notebook  that brings the period table of elements to life. By the way, this great learning tool is available for iPad and on Google Play for Android devices.

The key to bringing the periodic table of elements to life is in how the game is played. More on that in a minute.

Atomidoodle Chemistry Game App 1 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I want you to know first that this action packed game weaves logic, math and science skills together in a fast paced moving game.

  • Kids use fusion (addition of atoms) and fission (division) to understand how atoms work.
  • A player has to open and close widgets. For example, Helium is HE 2 and an atom is let out of the portal to move along the path. In this case the atom’s number was 4.
  • The player has to get the atom to the fission (division) widget to divide 4 and get 2 for proper atomic number.
  • Your child needs to keep the atoms moving along on the path because if they don’t atoms will explode.
Atomidoodle Chemistry Game App 2 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus-1

The object of the game is to unlock all the elements on the notebook above. So cool!

Atomidoodle Chemistry Game App 3 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus-1

For Tiny, it’s like unlocking little chests of information since our study of chemistry until now has been very basic.As a player unlocks the elements, he gets a Did You Know fact full of things that inquisitive minds want to know.

Did I mention the art work is truly beautiful? You notice the notebook looking paper type background along with all the doodles.

Tiny got frustrated with me because I deleted and reinstalled the app because the high stepping music wasn’t playing on our app. (Of course not having the volume turned up solved this problem.)

But Tiny said the levels get challenging as you go up.

So that is why it is hard to put a grade level on this because a child in elementary grade go start off on this and it increasingly gets challenging up to a high school level.

It really is an app that you can use with all of your children and for multiple ages. It is such a value for the price.

One important thing to me that is worth mentioning is that the owners are a husband and wife team that believe in using your powers for good.

In reading their vision, I was thrilled to know that they support, “Creative video games that support positive, moral, and biblical decision-making.”

Science is a logical study and the universe is full of the work of an orderly Designer. And I very much appreciate that a non creation view is not subtly sprinkled throughout the game.

Too, Tiny decided that you really needed to see how this fun app works, so he created a video.

Watch and enjoy!

Benefits of Learning Interactively

  • Children who run from boring worksheets will love the interactive way to learn the periodic table of elements.
  • A child who is gifted or wants a challenge will love Atomidoodle.
  • Elementary grade children who have a science bent will love being able to play.
  • High school kids (like me who ran from science in high school) will love the fact that with logic and some math, they too can learn chemistry the easy and fun way. They can learn to love the fascinating world of science through Atomidoodle.

I JUST love doing these reviews because I love it when my sponsors LOVE YOU and do giveaways.

Before we get this party started though, I just wanted to say a public Thank You to the awesome folks of Hero Factor Games for making such an awesome app to bless both science(y) and non-science(y) homeschooled kids. Thank You Tim and Sara!

Company Name: Hero Factor Games
Grades: From beginners to High School
Format: Available for iPad at iTunes for $2.99. Available for Android at Google Play for $2.99

Update 2022. I can’t find this app in the Apple store. I will keep trying, but it is available in the Google store.

Finally, look at these other chemistry homeschool ideas:

Hugs and love ya,

 

True Heroes History iPad App – Pssst!! Another Sweet Giveaway. Giveaway Closed.

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This Giveaway is Now Closed. Thank you for scooting by and please visit my other links and stick around! The winners are listed at the bottom.

True Heroes History App Homeschool Review @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I was given a free download of True Heroes History App and I was paid for my time. However, paid for my time does not mean paid off. ALL opinions are my own and for sure I will always tell you what is on my mind. Your experience may vary. When I do accept a review it’s because I am excited to tell you about it. Read my full disclosure here.

When I heard history and interactive, I was excited about Tiny using True Heroes 1781 History iPad App by Jolly Books.

I say it often, but I always want you to know that I don’t accept all the numerous requests for reviews that I get. I have to get giddy and it has to be something you or I will want to take a closer look at.

Okay, it doesn’t hurt either when I can giveaway some sweet things to you too.True Heroes Mystery iPad App @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
So for the last couple of weeks, Tiny has been playing True Heroes 1781 History App and the first thing that caught my eye was the year. Tiny, not so much, but that is the beauty of interactive play.

Through the years, I have tried numerous ways of gently introducing key or significant dates to my sons without resorting to humdrum put you to sleep memorization.

Right away, I recognized 1781 as a key year or turning point in the American Revolution. Picture association with a key date helps a visual learner or even history hater to at least be aware of that time period.

History Mystery Interactive iPad App

As home educators we know we have to teach dates, but committing key dates to our child’s memory, not so easy.

Though the app says it is for K-6, you know how I feel about history. It is a content subject and grades can be subjective.

One of the gems that I really liked about the app as we went through it was that the focus was not just on George Washington, but it starts off with stepping back in time and experiencing things that people of that time period experienced.

There is a lot of play time before you even get to the story of George Washington. At first, we were looking too quickly to get to the part about George Washington.

But I had to catch myself thinking that way because really the sequence of events follows the way I think history should be taught, which is to get the full flavor of life at that time period through a character’s eyes.Colonial Village @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool PlusFirst, you step back in time to a village complete with barn, a colonial house, store, print shoppe (yes, I loved how they used time period spelling), a tailor and an inn to name a few.

Colonial House @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool PlusYou start off by collecting water, building a fire, planting seeds, gathering your crops and buying a basket.Crops Growing @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Too, I loved the word list definition game because the game not only piques interest for that time period, but it gives a list of words like dishonest, thoughtful and brave to build moral virtues.

I really want to let you know something right now that is a little off the path of what I am talking about because it is important to me and that is the developers are indie app developers.

This stirred me to support them because they can weave things like teaching moral character and values into their apps, something that would probably not be important to a great big huge company.

After playing a game about defining character building words, Tiny used items from the inventory or saddle bag to buy a basket. But first, some math is involved like fractions.

Learning about planting and storing crops in the cellar is a fun part about learning about everyday life. Buy a shovel head and it turns dry corn into corn for the chicken.

Benefits to an Older Child

  • One thing the game touts that also had me hooked was intuitive reasoning.

In other words, not all actions have specific directions and laid out directions. They have to deduce some of the actions through interactive play.

I feel this is a great tool to use for an older child as he investigates and reasons out what he needs to do next.

  • Too, the facts he gathers along the way through hands-on play feeds a budding history buff who may be allergic (okay, okay) to books.
  • I find too that even though girls love this type of play, boys really benefit from the media center.

Did I tell you that Tiny couldn’t resist showing me when he was shooting bottles at a shooting range?

Chicken House @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

However, there are some things that I feel may be a bit above a Kindergartner’s head.

The visual layout of doing day to day activities will appeal to the very young, but one part we noticed is where you hear a chicken cluck.

The child knows then to go the barn and is told that chickens need dry corn.

He is then asked, “How will a chicken eat corn that way?”

A child has to deduce that he has to go the store, buy a shovel head and when it’s in his inventory/saddle bag, he has to tap on it and the corn turns into feed.

That part,  I feel is above the way a Kindergartner would reason to find the answer.

Help from an older sibling or mom would help him to get past that part. Then again, some Kindergartners have the patience of Job and might be able to find out quicker by tapping on all the items.

Canning, preserving and even recipes are some of the nifty little things that your child will also learn about. Cutting vegetables are just too cute when you cut them to put them in jars.

There is even an element of mystery to find out who is “Q”.

Baby George Washington @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool PlusYoung George Washington @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Of course, I don’t want to spoil all the surprises like at the museum or at the end.

History That Sparks a Love for Auditory Learners

There is one part that though we were pleasantly surprised at toward the end when it got to the part about George Washington.

Washing in debate @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool PlusGeorge Washington @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

It switches from an interactive game to an audio story telling mode.

From the time George Washington was born to being the first president, the audio story telling mode is a nice plus if you have an auditory learner like I do.

Tiny really liked sitting back and having the story read to him.

Don’t forget, I have a free American Revolution unit study and lapbook that would fit so well with this app.

Mystery, intrigue, fun in everyday mundane life and absorbing facts about the first president, this sweet little find of an app is a great compliment to any unit study about colonial life, the American Revolution or George Washington and the best part is that you can use it with all of your kids.

Guess what? I love that my sponsors love you and want you to try it out.

So today, I am giving away 3 of these apps. You have a chance to win, so don’t think you won’t win because I have to give them to somebody.

Would you like it?

Look at the details below and don’t forget to connect with Jolly Books because they have another app about Pocahontas coming out soon!

Yippeeeee! Giveaway Details – Easy Rules – 3 Winners

Begins: August 26, 2015.  Ends: September 2, 2015 @ 8:00 a.m. CST

Just comment here on my blog.

3 winners will be selected using random org and will be notified afterwards.

Also, because you can’t be a once a month email reader, if a winner does not respond to my email within 24 hours, I will choose another winner.

1. Open to any resident because this is a download. You will not be shipped anything.

2. You have to be a blog follower.  You can comment twice.

Comment in your first comment letting me how many kids you have that will enjoy this and in your second comment, let me know what you want me to blog more about this next school year. That’s it. Keep it easy, I like easy and uncomplicated. 

Go Down to the Bottom of this Post and leave your comment where it says LEAVE A REPLY.

Let’s get this party started!! Hope You Win.

Connect with Jolly Books

Do you want to know when the Pocahontas app is ready? I do. Sign up for their newsletter at the very bottom of the page.
Pssst! They even have free Colonial life lesson plans on their new blog! Give them some love and follow to get the latest.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jollybooksfun
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi-uf1rAhnfaKohxaOpBIIw
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+Jollybooksfun/posts

Congratulations to the Winners!

Winner 1.  Christina Baxter          Winner 2. Kasha                          Winner 3: Amy s

Winner 1                    Winner 2                                 Winner 3

 Product Facts a Glance1

Company Name: Jolly Books
Website: Jolly Books
Product Name: True Heroes 1781 George Washington App
Grades: K-6
Type of Format: iPad app
Price: $2.99

Hugs and love ya,

Tina Signature 2015c

 All product information is correct and accurate as of the date of this review.

Linking up @ these awesome places:
A Little Bird Told Me|Mommy Solutions|A Little R&R|