Ooka Island - REVIEW

Created by a leading reading researcher in the U.S., Dr. Kay MacPhee*, Ooka Island was born out of a project that originally started out of a need in the 60's for her own child who was hard of hearing.  She found a strong correlation between speaking and reading, and put her ideas to work.  More recently, the idea came to incorporate technology and engage a new generation in a format that is familiar and appealing to them, and to be able to reach them at a younger age.   The methodology is rigorous with 6,698 skills to master at 75% to complete the game.  There are more than 80 hours of activities to complete.

The program is a self contained, web based application geared towards children from ages 3 to 7 that is compatible with both Mac and PC computers.  This format was chosen to protect young children from having to be online and deal with safety issues, pop ups and other hazards of being online and visiting a website.  As a child plays the games, they incorporate the original Eye/Ear Method that is the foundation of Dr. MacPhee's work.

As they go through each level, there is a set pattern for them to follow with work, practice, and "free play".  A child can stop at any point during the play and the program will pick up where they left off. 

 

The Ooka Island team didn't want to focus solely on screen time and offers printable workbook activities and downloadable songs as well as motivational tools and other great information to help parents and teachers utilize this program to its fullest potential.  The "Lighthouse" is the page for parents and teachers to track progress, print reports and check up on their students' progress and time spent playing. 

From the Ooka Island website:

This learn-to-read program is Ooka-riffic!

The Ooka Island Learn-to-Read Adventure offers adaptive instruction, a narrated e-Reader, and real-time progress reports. Young learners play and learn in a safe, 3D virtual world and take part in a heroic quest!
The program features an adaptive learning algorithm called READirectTM and ensures skill mastery in the five foundations of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.
Here is the Ooka-mazing news!
5 year olds are breaking into reading after just 8 hours
4 year olds are breaking into reading after 13 hours
Children that complete the program are reading at the 2nd Grade level

Pricing:

Homeschool and Home Editions
Monthly
$12.95 per student
$19.95 per family (up to 4 students)

Annual
$124.95 per student
$149.95 per family (up to 4 students)

School Edition provides and annual license, per student
$10 per student with a District subscription of 500+ students
$15 per student for a school with 31-500 students
$20 per student for less than 30 students

All of the Books are available for purchase through the website as well.

 30% off  Special through this blog through June 1, 2013

Personal thoughts:

In our house, we have a wide range of reading abilities and skills and interests.  Our family is a video game loving group.  We have a 4 year old that was my intended student, but I was pleasantly surprised by a bit older "reluctant reader" who was enthusiastic and excited by the game from the moment he heard the songs when I first installed the program on my computer.  He partnered with the 4 year old and they played as a team.  I was honestly very skeptical about the play being anything more than a chance to have screen time and a reason to play on mom's computer.  I was quite surprised to find them practicing sounds together at various times when NOT playing at the computer.  I hear them coaching each other through the activities and games, and correcting each other whenever possible.  I am seeing a MAJOR boost in the confidence of my reluctant reader and my little guy is becoming more interested in reading words rather than picture books.  The catchy little tunes have made it a familiar part of our home very quickly. 

While I am still a book lover at heart, I am glad that researchers and leaders in education are finding new methods to reach students and help them learn.  I have seen how learning styles and methods can impact a student, and this program helped me see that technology isn't always something to be wary of.  I was able to reach a student in my house who hasn't been all that enthusiastic about learning to read until now.  This program, for whatever reason was able to pique an interest that I haven't been able to do yet with other programs for this particular student.  I had hoped to get a picture of my reading team, but Mr. Reluctant Reader was a bit too shy about it and asked me to not do so.  I can tell you though, that the sight of his face when things finally connected that had challenged him before has been priceless.

Find Ooka Island at the following links for more information:

YouTube Channel

Facebook Page

Website

Blog- Village Voices

Contact Us page





*Should you want to check her credentials, they are listed here.

 

Saving Memories Forever - REVIEW

Many of us treasure the stories of our family and friends.  The memories of childhood, the reminders of things long forgotten. Time slips by, stories are forgotten, voices fade, memories dim.  Saving Memories Forever was created out of the desire to keep those stories alive, in their original voices.  Written stories hold the details, but they lack the emotion, the energy, the highs and the lows that seep through inflections and changes in the spoken words.

This handy little app and website combo can help ANYONE with access to a recording device and a computer become a record keeper of some of those beloved stories and tales.  The app itself is intended for use on either the iPhone or an Android based phone (certain specifications apply, of course. Some of us still have dinosaurs for smart phones and technology is moving along faster than we are!).  To use the program, you simply download the app to your hand held device, register your account online, and start recording and uploading the stories as they happen. 

The creators of this program shared with us that they learned at a genealogy conference that 40% of the people alive today will leave no record of themselves....did you read that?!?! 40%!  To me, that is huge.  The memories I have of my grandparents and others who have passed on already in my life are very special, I can't imagine if I had nothing available to me to remind me of them and share their stories with others.

Harvey and Jane Baker took this to heart and set to work, after realizing what they were lacking in their own desire to record family history.  Their website was released in June 2012, the iPhone app was released in August 2012, and the Android app in November 2012.  They took great care in organizing some clear tutorials on their website, a user's guide, and even a video.  Your audio files can be categorized, tagged, shared with others.  They set up the program so that you may record and upload an "audio biography", and then share the link so that others can appreciate that same recording. 

There are some pretty cool features available with this program: 

• There is a free version as well as a monthly subscription for $3.99 or yearly subscription for $40. The free version is more limited, but gives you a good taste of the possibilities!
• They took great care to create a question list or "story starters" that you can print off and keep handy or use right from the app.  These also help categorize the stories so you can remember Uncle Joe's story about school and go look for it under the "school" themed category of childhood.
• They have some AMAZING customer service!  I have been emailing back and forth with Harvey trying to get my "semi-smart, smart phone" to work as the program is intended, and he has given me great insight, ideas, and tools to make the app and program work even if my phone won't. 
• A facebook page full of genealogy tidbits and news.You can also find their blog, twitter, and a regular newsletter for more info and updates!
• You can "manage" your files and delete those you do not like from the website.  
• You can add photos and biographical info about your various storytellers (and the opposite is true of them as well, you can simply leave some parts blank if you have concern for privacy on the internet!  I had this concern myself with some of the info when I am just "trying" something new, and it worked even with blank data fields).
• Should "forever" not really happen, and the unthinkable happen, the website allows you do download all of your files for saving with the paid apps.  You can find more info on the Free vs. Fee page about what each subscription offers.

This low cost, affordable program is a great tool for genealogists everywhere, dabbler, novice, mom who wants to keep memories, or professional.  My only regret with this program so far is that not one member of my household has willingly been recorded, aside from my own silly test recordings of myself.  I have tried recording a couple of little people to share with family, but they all get shy as soon as the "record" button is pushed. 

I will say that even with my nuisance phone, the app is easy to use, relatively easy to work around, and easy to understand.  I look forward to using it more in the future and am thankful to have had this opportunity.  I am excited about the gift possibilities within my family, and the ideas that were shared with us on how to use this program are pretty much endless...from recording those silly little mispronunciations of your preschooler to "pass the phone" at a family reunion, this app is going to be a hit amongst the family history enthusiasts that I know!

Spanish for You - Estaciones REVIEW

Spanish for You is a unique program that takes a whole new approach to teaching Spanish.  Imagine finding a curriculum that isn't designated to a set age or grade.  A curriculum that can be used for multiple levels at once, from the same book.  A curriculum that offers a book as well as a full audio recording of the book both in a native speaking voice and a non-native voice that offers slower pronunciations for clearer understanding. 

Author, Debbie Annett, MSEd., of Spanish-for-You.net has tried very hard to create just that in her Spanish curriculum, Spanish for You.  She has used this program herself for more than 4 years, but the curriculum has only been available for sale for less than a year.  Her goal of making an affordable curriculum is one that she takes very seriously.  The artwork for the books, done by her own daughter, brings a more relaxed appeal for the students.  The black and white pages allow for students to get more hands' on by coloring the pages if they'd like.  Her choice to offer some of the materials through downloads via PDF and MP3 formats allows the user to print only what is needed, when it is needed.  Using any of the books in any order allows the cost savings of not having to stick to strict schedules and programs.


The books contain instructions and guidance for the teacher and the student.  Each workbook is able to span a full school year with 4 instructional days per week.  The books take on a whole new approach in that they teach common language based on a theme, rather than parts of speech or functional phrases.  It builds skills and familiarity for the formal instruction of older grades. While grades 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 are designated for the worksheets and activities, the material can be adapted for earlier ages.  The worksheets are geared towards the reading and writing skills of each grade range, but are totally flexible.  The author describes her curriculum as a "middle of the road Spanish curriculum" that tries to balance the European Spanish with North and South American Spanish so that a student may be able to function with any of the variations and dialects.  Her position on language learning is that a student must have continued exposure and repeated practice rather than just occasional practice for fluency.


There are currently 2 full programs available, Fiestas (Celebrations) and Estaciones (Seasons), and Viajes (Travels) coming in June 2013 with a trial version available right now.


Included in the curriculum:

• Soft cover book (e-book available for trial packages)
• 24-30 week lesson guide for the grades ordered (full package of all grades available) PDF download
• Self Checking worksheets PDF download
• 2 Audio files (one of the other reading with slower pronunciation in non-native speaking voice and the other in a native speakers voice) (MP3 download)
• Activity pictures (to use for activities or making flash cards PDF download

Optional teacher lesson plans for classroom use are available separately on the website.

The trial packages start at $9.99, the regular packages are $39.95 each or $64.95 for the entire Grade 3-8 collection of a book.

Personal reflections:
My experience with this program is a bit hard to describe.  I love the concept, I love the layout.  I am still a bit of a "fuddy duddy" and like paper.  As much as I love my computer, I like having hard copies.  Having downloads has great advantages with only needing to print what you need at a time, but feels like a bit of a handicap to me.  I had the unfortunate experience of having a little one use my computer unattended and delete my files at one point.  That turned into a great opportunity to see how the customer service skills stand up behind this new curriculum.   I quickly emailed Debbie, and she was gracious and understanding and took care of my needs within hours.  Her customer service was amazing!  I love having the audio files to listen to  in both voices, because to me, it was overwhelming to open that book for the first time and see words in Spanish with no idea how to pronounce them or even identify them (yeah, picture that deer in the headlights look, it may have been me!). Sure there are English words there, but my overwhelmed mind didn't see those right away.  The non-native recordings include instructions in English, which was much more appealing to me as a total beginner.  I can see the ability to go through this book twice, the first with the English helps, and the second in only the native speaking narration for even greater retention.

With a wee bit of planning and preparation, it was easy to take this curriculum "on the road" and adapt for a recent road trip that was a 3 hour trip each way.  Had I thought ahead, we could have used an MP3 player, but my laptop played the audio files just fine.  Having that portability is very welcome.  The more exposure I have to this program, the more I appreciate it and like it.  I am slow to change some things, and while I would like to see the program offered on a disc as well as just downloads (because I don't do change well with how I handle my curriculum, not because it would in any way improve the program), I am glad I had the opportunity to try this one and look forward to seeing how this new curriculum takes off.  It makes me think of "tv Spanish meets Spanish 101" and bridges the gap in between for younger students who are not ready for the formal instruction, but are beyond learning a simple word or phrase with their favorite cartoon characters.  As a parent, this approach is more relaxed feeling and more practical for those with a more casual interest in language learning.

Reminiscing...

We were recently traveling for regular appointments, and ventured on a slightly different path from our normal route.  This detour allowed a bit of site seeing and re-visiting some old stomping grounds from my childhood.  Funny how things can change so much, but still be the same.  See this church?  That was my grandmother's church.  She died almost 20 years ago now, but that church somehow brought some of those memories of my childhood back as if they were yesterday.  This quick "drive by" picture just is not nearly adequate for the story it tells me.

The darker part on the right is what I knew as that church, the part to the left has been added on some time more recently than Grandma's funeral, but I do not know when.  Even though it looked so different, it was still the same.  That warm, welcome place with so many years of confirmation pictures to thumb through in the poster size flip folders that hang on the wall.  I am sure they have a technical name, but I've never known what that may be.  Most of the aunts and uncles were in there somewhere, if we took enough time to look.  This was the place where many quilts were pieced together for birthdays, graduations, weddings, or just because.  Grandma and her "church ladies" as we all knew them, were always busy doing something to help others, and they often worked as a team.  There were Mother's Day Brunches that were served by the men.  For many years, Grandma won door prizes because of the size of our family.  I can still remember all of us dressing up and going...us "girls", our moms, and then Grandma.  What a treasure she had, we always filled several seats.  I remember the laughter, the smiles, the warm welcomes, and the praise for her large family...there were, after all, 14 children to her credit.

Just a mile or so down the road is the cemetery where my dear Grandmother's body was laid to rest, but for some reason, the church is the place that tells her legacy to me.  Thinking of all the baptisms, the confirmations, the prayers that happened there for her family.  I stand in awe of this small town church and all the events it has held for our family.  Even more so, I stand in awe of the legacy of a dear woman who made this place as important as her home, and took her family there as often as she could.

A personal update from "Aunt" Mae

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FINAL NUMBERS!!!

As of this evening, April 16th I have gotten 55 orders for over 300 bars of soap not including the back ordered soaps.
April 8 ~ 20 orders
April 9 ~ 10 orders with 3 still unpaid
April 10 ~ 4 orders
April 11 ~ 4 orders with 1 still unpaid
April 12 ~ 7 orders
April 13 ~ 4 orders with 1 still unpaid
April 14 ~ I'm closed
April 15 & 16 ~ 10 orders with 8 still unpaid
(I had a show on Monday and didn't get a chance to process any orders)

The orders from the 8th & 9th were shipped out on the 9th. The 10th & 11th's orders were shipped out on the 11th. The 12th, 13th & 14th's orders were shipped out on the 15th. One order from today included a pair of my earrings.

Out of the 13 scents available I have sold completely out of 6 of them. The Oatmeal, Milk & Honey scent sold out in two days and I have 6 - 8 back orders already.

There were a total of 26 donations between April 8 - 15th not including the generous donations from you sweet ladies prior to the blogging giveaway and the generosity of the sweet lady who paid for the giveaway items and shipping costs.

I have received offers of free website design from 2 people (one was before the giveaway went live and she is working on it already), an offer to take product pictures by a photographer, numerous offers for free advertising, one lady said she was passing my information on to all her friends, one person interested in becoming a Young Living distributor, 1 Lilla Rose hair clip order and lots of love and prayers.

14 people signed up for my Aunt Mae's newsletter.
145 signed up for my blog newsletter (Honey From Flinty Rocks).
3 signed up for my Lilla Rose hair clip newsletter.

My son made (to my specifications) a rack to hold my tissue paper to make packing orders for shipping easier and less back straining. I organized the shelves where I keep my soaps so I can store more in the same space and have room for my other products.

Ladies, I thank you for all your efforts to help me by getting the word out about my financial situation after my beloved's death and to promote my soaps. The world will know you are Christians by the tremendous outpouring of love you have shown to me.

I love you and will be praying for you each by name over the next few weeks. ♥

Now, for a more personal update: 

Mae added a few more soaps to the line up a few days ago.  I was too sick to bother posting, but here they are now! 

1) Beach Breezes
2) Bordeaux Blend
3) Black Amber & Lavender
4) Champagne
5) Winter Grapefruit

Do you need the link again?  Sure! I have it right here:  Aunt Mae's

To those who prayed, entered, bought soap, or donated, I want to say thank you.  Mae is a dear friend and Lilla Rose Consultant, and it is only a blessing to be able to help her as she tries to get on her feet while still freshly grieving. 

Stacy

P.S.  The winners of the drawings have been chosen but are being verified yet as of the scheduling of this post!  Stay tuned!  There were thousands of entries among the various blogs!

Don't forget! Party and Giveaway going on!

Today is the Apologia facebook party with Mosaic Reviews!

If you aren't familiar with what this one is all about, go back and read my review of the planning system, you won't be sorry you checked this one out!

Click on the picture for the direct link to the party!



While I am set out to remind you of all the great things I have been lucky enough to be involved with these past few weeks, don't forget Mae's soap giveaway!  You have 2 days left!  Mae has been blessed with more than 30 orders and several donations so far. 

This is just one of many varieties of soap that Mae makes, it may or may not be available at this time, but there are several great options to choose from at any time!

Apologia Ultimate Homeschool Planner System - REVIEW

Homeshooling requires planning and record keeping to some degree, no matter what style or method a family uses for getting the job done.  I recently had the chance to review the entire "Planning System", created by Debra Bell, famed author (at least in all of the homeschooling circles I have ever been involved with!) of The Ultimate Guide To Homeschooling. These resources, as well as many others can be found at Apologia Press' website, Apologia.com

This was quite a challenge for me, as:
a)  I am NOT a planner, contrary to popular belief
b) I already have a calendar full of items that I carry in my purse and have filled with scattered things all the way through next fall
c) I am NOT, I repeat, NOT a planner.  Did I happen to mention that already?  Ok, sure, I note times and dates of events, but I am truly a "fly by the seat of my pants and go with what works today" kind of person.  If something requires planning and preparation, I can do it, but it is not my natural tendency and takes discipline to get those things done.

The items in the picture are the items I received for review. 

The Ultimate Homeschool Planner   $28  If you click on the link, you can find a sample as well as Table of Contents links.
This planner is great, not only for homeschool records but as an all around planner.  It includes a yearly calendar, month-at-a-glance, and weekly options to fit your needs.  There are record keeping pages, as well as goal setting and summary/journal spaces to document memorable moments and achievements. 

The Ultimate Weekly Planner for Teens  $19  There is a sample view on their page for this one.This planner contains space and tips for record keeping for graduation, tips and reminders for topics such as algebra, spelling rules, grammar rules, etc.

The Ultimate Daily Planner for Students  $19
This planner is a great starter for the younger students or the no-fuss, no frills type of student.  It contains a month at a glance page, but focuses on the weekly and daily planning.  There are many great resources in this one as well.


You can find them all, as well as the alternate designed cover version of the Ultimate Homeschool Planner on this page.

I could write pages and pages and pages about this, but my natural tendency towards being a bit verbose is getting the best of me lately, so I will keep it short and sweet as much as I can. 

The most notable things for me about each of these planners:

1. The covers of each of these planners is plastic.  Not just card stock or tag board, but plastic.  The kind that can be wiped off when you KNOW you will spill something on it... what? that only happens to me?  Come on, now...tell the truth... I am sure it has happened to someone else before.

2.  The Ultimate Homeschool Planner has POCKETS!  I *love* pockets.  Notes, scraps of paper for reminders, stickers, assignments, paperwork needing to be done, you name it, I keep it with my planner.

3.  The resources!  From the snippets of trivia, to scripture, to words of encouragement, all 3 planners are liberally adorned with these extra tidbits of knowledge and encouragement.  There are teaching resources and tips in the Homeschool Planner, there are charts and maps and "rules" pages in both the Teen Planner and the Student Planner.

4.  The dates have to be filled in.  I *loathe* having to do that with a planner.  Or at least I used to.  After listening to Mrs. Bell on the webinar for those of us who participated in this review, it became clear that it was a concern for her and her partner (Zan Tyler) in this project as well.  The reality is, if the planners are dated, they have an expiration date and things get wasted.  With this method, you don't have to worry about waste.  You can pick it up in August and not lose the first 7 months of calendar, and in turn, the publisher also has no waste.  Her suggestion was to have a child fill it in.  I LOVE that idea!  And I have changed my mind about having to fill in those dates. 

5.  My teen daughter was immediately in love with the Teen planner and until writing this review, I haven't been able to see it again.  She took it, compared notes on my desk calendar, consulted me for details on bigger appointments and events, and took off with hers.  This independence was one of the goals Mrs. Bell had with this system, creating independence in learning.  The goal of the products is that I could compare with her to make sure she is being held accountable for her work and time, but we haven't had that need in a printed form in our house, it happens regularly throughout the day, every day.


All in all, I am impressed with these products.  They are not a great fit for our family at this point since we have systems in place already that work well for us and it is hard to change mid-stream.  I can see great potential for the yearly switch over for us though!  I would LOVE to see the Homeschool Planner available in a smaller size, for my own personal preferences.  I carry a planner with me everywhere and it needs to fit in my purse.  I don't personally do well with one at home and one with me, I inevitably forget to transfer info, and I can't seem to practically manage a separate planner for each "section" of my life.  This planner would do GREAT with that, it is too large for the purses I choose to carry. 

To learn more about these great products and how to make the best use of them, find Mosaic Reviews or Apologia on facebook and join our party!  On Friday, April 12, 2013, at this link:  https://www.facebook.com/events/357468417706643/  The party starts at 9pm EST!



****Please, accept my apologies for the lack of more detailed pictures.  Apparently, my camera has decided that all the great pictures I took should show up blurry :(  I am a bit more than disappointed with this, and hope to have the problem solved soon.