Talking Fingers: Read, Write & Type

  Are you looking for a program that teaches your child several subjects at one time?  An award winning program?  A multi-sensory program?  A super FUN program for your young children?

Look no further, Read, Write & Type is for your family! 

Read, Write & Type Learning System is designed for students in grades K-3.   The system is a software program available on CD or on-line.  The software includes phonics, spelling, keyboarding and word processing.

With the Read, Write & Type!™ Learning System, you can...

“HELP a child learn to read! This 40-lesson adventure is a powerful tool for 6-8 year olds just learning to read, for children of other cultures learning to read and write in English, and for students of any age who are struggling to become successful readers and writers.“

“TEACH important skills! Children learn phonics, reading, spelling, writing, vocabulary, punctuation, and even keyboarding. “

“ACTIVATE multiple brain systems! Children see, hear, speak, touch, move their fingers, and laugh with pleasure as they play each new level. Research shows this is the most efficient and effective way to learn.”

“SEE impressive results in just fifteen minutes a day! This simple yet revolutionary program teaches children to read while teaching them to write! Visual and auditory help comes from the Talking Keyboard and Helping Hands as children sound-out, spell, and read hundreds of words in engaging animated games and stories. “

As part of TOS Homeschool Crew, I reviewed the on-line version of the Read, Write & Type learning system. 

My daughters, ages 7 and 5, LOVED this program! 

Our thoughts:

• Very engaging software – colorful character Letters and a computer virus named Vexor, who is mischievous along the way
• Lefty and Rightway did a great job teaching the girls finger position on the keyboard 
• The 40 exciting levels were motivating for my kids -  filled with  music, color and animated characters
• The girls learned how to spell & type words, build sentences and stories throughout the  levels
• The girls loved the extra game challenges in each level too
• Each Certificate of Merit award the girls earned they hung on the wall visualizing an accomplishment that motivated them to continue through the levels

For more details on how the program works click here.  Tour the product here. 

The on-line version is only $35.00 for one user.  For more users see pricing here.  Also available in CD format.  CD format is NOT compatible with Windows 7 or Mac 10.6.

Check out This Old Schoolhouse CREW to see what others are saying about Read, Write & Type Learning System by Talking Fingers.

Disclaimer:  This product was given to me for review purposes free of charge, not to be returned to the vendor. All opinions expressed in this review are mine.

MFW Adventures: Wrap-Up for Week 9

Another great week with MFW Adventures:  Jesus the Rock, George Washington, and the Seasons!

But first I must show you what I tripped over one evening as I walked down the basement to do laundry…. the dolls were EVERYWHERE ….

 

Dinner for four here… and tea-time for four over there…

Granny was in a dress and wheelchair here… and there was a restaurant full over there. How could I yell about the mess left out – it was too cute! 

And that’s not all.  The girls set up the barn with animals, the bedrooms were by the TV, and the bathroom was just by the steps – waiting for me to trip over again !  Ok – on to our week with MFW Adventures!

Bible: Our memory verse this week was Matthew 7:24 “… a wise man who built his house on the rock.”  Jesus is our Rock and Redeemer!  We also went through a few Psalms written by David. We sang Psalm 62 and focused on how God is our rest, rock and refuge in times of need!   In 2 Samuel, we learned how the Lord loves it we sing to Him and praise His name in song!  Then in Isaiah 26 God reminds us that we can trust in the Lord for peace and safety.  The verses and promises in God’s Word this week were absolutely refreshing to my soul!  His promises are as solid as a ROCK – no other “god” offers these promises!

Science: This week’s science focus was on the four SEASONS!  The girls traced their arm and hand for the design of each tree truck and the branches.  Then they painted the details of each season – creating a personal Book of Seasons.  Check out Mama Jenn’s blog for the Season printable here.

This is Spring with Pet Shop pet stickers. Here is Winter with snow stamps and a penguin sticker.

When the paints came out for one project it soon led to hours of more painting, painting, and more painting of My Little Pony and the Princesses!

These were a few of our favorite Book Basket items on trees and the seasons.  Our new read-aloud is Sarah Whitcher’s Story.

 

History: We read a few books about George Washington, discussed the Yankee Doodle song, and watched a DVD on George.  He is on both the quarter and the $1 bill. 

Drop by this weekend for our “Little House” Happenings field trip photos.

Check out what Kattie did during her weekly wrap up with MFW 1st Grade here.

See what others are doing in their Weekly Wrap Ups at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers here.

The Digital Field Trip Series by Digital Frog

If you want to go on a fascinating, fun, and educational field trip without leaving your home – check this out!

 

The Digital Field Trip Series offers three virtual field trips to: The Wetlands, The Rainforest and The Desert.

“For years, Digital Frog International's educational life science software has offered students the opportunity to explore and learn about some of the world's most fascinating ecosystems, from the wetlands of Canada to the deserts of the southwest U.S. to the tropical rainforest of Belize. 360-degree panoramas bring these diverse ecosystems to life, while detailed sections on organisms, types, mechanisms and even how humans impact and help protect these ecosystem help enhance understanding through interactive learning.”

The field trips, workbooks and field guides are VERY DETAILED with information, research and amazing graphics.  So I thought it would be best to just focus on the details of one field trip to The Wetlands.

This digital field trip contains both a Teacher and Student workbook on CD-ROM: The workbook consists of the following sections:

• Field guide (serves as both a guide to the “virtual” field trip to Cloud Lake and to any local wetland
• Study guide (structures exploration of the CD and encourages applying the learning to the real world)

The field guide helps you understand any wetland, its inhabitants, and its ecological role.  The student has specific observations of: water, plants, animals, and insects.  The virtual field trip also offers additional field exercises.  Then it goes on to challenge the student with an analysis of the plants, animals and terrain.

The study guide for The Wetlands goes to Brazil into the second largest wetlands in South America.  The student studies wetland types and formations, the habitat, flora and fauna, food chains and webs, photosynthesis, and more!

The Wetland Digital Field Trip CD-ROM contains the following:

• Field Trip to the Bog
• Wetland Types
• Bog Study
• Wetland Mechanisms
• Endangered Wetlands
• CD Text
• Workbook materials
• Graphic resources for use in K-3 classes
• Teacher’s Guide instructions for use with grades 4-12

My Thoughts:

The virtual field trips are pretty amazing.  I think they are an excellent study for the single student, small group or the classroom setting.  Though they are designed for the 4th grader and up, each contain resources for students in K-3rd.  They are packed full of learning – structured learning, independent research, visual lessons, maps, workbook materials, media resources, games, crossword puzzles, and much much more!  I think the field trips are excellent for any homeschooling family or co-op.

If you would like more details click here.  Try the free demo version too. 

Prices are listed here.  Home Licenses prices are here.

 See what other CREW Mates are saying about The Digital Field Trips here

Zoo Fun with Family and Friends

 

I got to meet a CREW Mate from This OldSchoolhouse CREW.  We had a great time with our families at the local zoo!  The weather was perfect too!

Okay – so I guess I didn’t get any pictures of Amber, our spouses and myself, but she did.  Go to Amber’s site, Refined Metals Academy to read and see more here!

 

These are my two girls, a niece and Amber’s son!

Below are the girls again and Amber’s daughter.

My oldest daughter absolutely LOVED carrying around the little one!

Don’t forget to see and read more at Refined Metals Academy.

I Have Been Tagged ! Here ‘ya go …

I have been TAGGED by a sweet friend Jennifer for a Q & A session… check out her blog Training Them Up!

She gave me 8 questions I have the answer.  Then I have to pass on 8 different questions to 8 different blogging friends….

So here are the 8 questions she gave me with my answers:

1. What's one thing about your hubby that still makes you weak in the knees?  Is it the same thing that gave you that feeling when you were dating, or has it changed with time?  Hum…He has always and is still a servant for both his family and the Lord.

2. How have you seen God working in your life lately? eeek – my critical spirit

3. Does your family have any favorite family traditions? Split wood and stack it  – is that a tradition?  or a seasonal chore?

4. What has one of your kids done lately that has caused you to laugh out loud?  Dressing up and ALWAYS hunting for bugs

5. If you could be alone in the car with a CD of your choice, what would it be?  3rd Day, Jennifer Knapp

6.  Do you have a hidden talent, even if it's not something practical?  (For example, I can pick up almost anything with my toes!) Ok I can too – but just with my right foot

7.  If the you of today could go back in time and tell the you of high school one thing, what would it be?  Stopping being a wall flower

8. If money wasn't an issue and your schedule was free, what would you spend your days doing?  Creating homeschool curriculum and unit studies

Ok - now here are my 8 questions:

1. Do you teach your children or does your spouse help you?
2. Have you ever gone to a homeschool convention? If so, did you have fun?
3. Have you complimented or encouraged your spouse lately? 
4. What are some of your child’s God given gifts? or talents?
5. What character issue is God working on in your life right now?
6. Do you struggle with getting in the Word each day? (I do)
7. Do you watch a TV series?  If so, which one? or two? or three?
8. If you had a day alone what would you fill your time doing?

I will now tag 8 people just for the fun of it, but if you read this and want to play along, consider yourself tagged!  Just comment so I know to go to your blog and read your answers.  No blog?  No problem!  Just answer in the Comments area below!  I can't wait to read what you have to say!  :)

Kattie at 2 Ladybugs and a Lizard

Jenni at A School of Our Own

Amber at Refined Metals Academy

Joyce at Joyful Creations

Wendi at Simply At Home

Isabel at Girlies of Mt. Hope

McMama at Ruby Slipper School

MFW Adventures Wrap-Up: Week 8

Wow - I can’t believe we completed 40 days of school already!  And during these last 40 days somehow fall arrived.  I love fall but winter is right around the corner.  And for those of you who know me…I do not love the cold or snow.  Last winter was terribly cold and snowy – yet pretty.  Anyway, I plan to enjoy Autumn while it is here! 

So here’s what we have been doing so far this fall week.

Bible:  We learned about Jesus the Rock!  Our memory verse is Matthew 7:24.  The girls discussed what characteristics a rock has:  strong, can not be broken, not bothered by the wind and etc.  Jesus is even better a Rock in our lives: “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.  All other ground is sinking sand.”  We discussed how we are to put our trust and lives into the hands of Christ.  If we place our trust in Jesus Christ alone and His Word – then we will have built our lives on solid ground that will stand firm in any storm life sends our way!   What a Biblical truth we must all hang onto throughout our lives!

History:  Benjamin Franklin was our history favorite this week!  Let me tell you … I had NO idea how much influence this man had on American until I read a few books from our book basket selection!  His accomplishments were amazing. 

I love homeschooling because I get to learn along with the girls.  I was impressed with how much they remembered even several days later.  They competed with one another as I wrote their summary statements on the white board!  Boy, I wish I had this great an education at ages 5 and 7 years old. 

Book Basket:  Here were a few of our book basket favorites.

This video – believe it or not – was biblically based! 

Both our Bible and Science lessons this week were about rocks.  See if you can get this from your local library.

 

 

 

What else did you we do? 

We had fun outside in the sun ….

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Drop by our Outdoor Hour Challenge Nature Study pages to see what we learned about birds this week! 

Stop by our “Little House” Happenings to check out what we discussed in our Prairie Primer co-op here.

Do you want to read more weekly wrap-ups ? Drop by the Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers blog!

“Little House” Happenings: Weeks 2 & 3

Our Little House co-op is reading the book Little House in the Big Woods. The kids met to discuss chapters 2 and 3.

Chapter 2: 

This kids dissected Owl Pellets…

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…Made Butter …. shake, shake, shake….’til their arms were sore!

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….Shared their art and research on Owls ….

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… and displayed their paper dolls.. yes, even the boys participated!

Chapter 3:

This week’s class was on gun safety and obedience!  Our class discussion was focused on obeying not only our parents but the Lord – because it is for their best interest! 

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Tune in next week for more on our “Little House” Happenings! 

What else did we do this week?  Check out our Nature Study on Birds.