{Review} My Home School Grades online program

Our eldest daughter graduated in 2011 and is currently preparing for her third year of college in the fall. During her high school years, I kept paper records and physical planners where we tracked her coursework. I have a Rubbermaid container full of stuff to prove this!

When it was time for college applications, it was such a monumental task to pull together all of the written records for her finalized transcript to submit to the colleges. I could have saved our family the strenuous effort if I only had a database record system which could generate a professional transcript of courses. I kept my records the old school way, and if I could do it all over again, I would utilize better technology.

My Home School Grades is a wonderful online records/grading system created by homeschooling father John Echols. I reviewed this system with the Mosaic Reviews team and I am overjoyed to have a lifetime membership so that I can simplify our records for future years.

The first thing that I noticed when logging into the system was the beautiful design that is friendly to the eyes. The system is intuitive to use and within minutes I created a student profile and added classes.

You have a choice of adding your own customized classes or you can choose from a drop-down menu of publishers. If your curriculum publisher is not listed, you can fill out a handy form to request your favorites be added in the system.

For each class you can add your lessons and classify the assignments as labs, tests, or quizzes. You can edit each class at any point. All of the information you add into the system is used to automatically calculate a GPA and to generate a transcript (see sample).

It is so easy to use! This tool is a must-have for college, vocational, or military bound students. Sure, you can create your own transcript from written records, but the amount of time and labor that you save from using an online database will free you up to use your energy for other tasks.

One way that you can learn more about this program is by watching the video tutorials.

Four videos are available:

• Add a Student
• Add a Class
• Add an Activity
• Create a Transcript

What I enjoyed about My Home School Grades:

• The lifetime membership is extremely affordable!
• You can use this system for multiple students
• It is user-friendly right from the start
• The design is clean and bright 
• Video tutorials are available
• Grades are entered as letters, numbers, or fractions
• You can use this for record-keeping for K-12 grades
• Track activities such as sports, music, scouts, competitions, and more
• GPA is automatically calculated
• You can generate a transcript in minutes!
• The option is available to upload past records from years ago

What you need to know before purchasing:

• They have a detailed privacy policy 
• You can check out the 14 day free trial and no credit card is needed
• They do not have a mobile app available (yet) 
• You can access via the internet on most devices

After 14 years of homeschooling, I am jumping for joy to have a tool that eases the burden of long-term record keeping! 

Product Details:
Title: My Home School Grades
Publisher: John Echols
Format: Online Database
Retail Price: $49.99 for lifetime membership

Connect with My Home School Grades:
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

You can visit Mosaic Reviews and hear what the rest of the team has to say about their experiences with this program. The link will be active on 5/24.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this product from My Home School Grades to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review for Mosaic Reviews. This author was under no obligation to offer a favorable review. All opinions shared about the product are the honest responses of Sharra Badgley. Your results and opinions may vary.
  

{Review} The Waterproof Bible by Bardin & Marsee

I must admit, I was a bit hesitant to fully test out this Bardin & Marsee resource in my review for Mosaic Reviews. I watched the videos on the website. I looked at the impressive photos. I just could not imagine submerging an entire Bible in water.

The Waterproof Bible is hailed as being 100% Worry Free inside and out. It truly is! I did not realize that durable Bibles such as this Waterproof Bible existed and I am thankful for the opportunity to review this resource. I reviewed the smaller version of New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. I loved it so much that I am going to order a full-size one for family use.

What I enjoyed about the Waterproof Bible:

• It scored serious cool points with my family
• It is available in several popular versions
• Full-size Bible editions are available for purchase
• You can take it outdoors for all sorts of activities (camping, hiking, parks, pools, etc.)
• The New Testament version is easy to carry in a purse
• You can take it to coffee shop meetings without worrying about spills
• This Bible is toddler proof!
• You can use a dry marker or pencil to make notes
• It floats!
• It is a great gift for family and friends in the military, missions, scouts, and outdoor lovers

We can take the Waterproof Bible outdoors without fear of it getting muddy, wet, or exposed to other elements. The compact size makes it very suitable to carry in a backpack for hiking and camping.

If you enjoy marking passages in your Bible, you can use a dry highlighter pencil. Regular liquid highlighter markers will wipe right off. This is one feature that helps make it toddler proof. All spills and accidental doodles wipe clean. The pages are durable and near the same thickness as regular paper. We did not attempt to rip the pages, but they did feel sturdy enough to withstand frequent use.

What you need to know before purchasing:

• Several sizes are available for purchase
• Several color options are available 
• Your kids will want to test out this Bible in water and mud for fun
• If you need a larger print size, you should order the full-size version

At first, Briyah wondered if we really should submerge the Waterproof Bible in water.

It even floats! That is a super handy feature if you take it fishing, swimming, or boating.

After submerging in the water, it dried out very quickly. The water beaded right off the pages. To fully dry, you just stand it on the side and it will dry out completely.

Our family loves the great outdoors! The Waterproof Bible is a unique resource that we can feel confident to take with us on our many adventures. I am now inspired to plan our next camping trip!

 

Product Details:
Title: ESV Waterproof Bible - New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs
Publisher: Bardin Marsee Publishing
Format: Softcover - 100% Waterproof Synthetic Paper and Binding
Retail Price: $24.95 for edition reviewed; several products/prices available

Publisher Description:
ESV Waterproof Bible - New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs

• New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs
• Extremely Durable Synthetic Pages
• 100% Worry Free
• Stain Resistant
• Ultra Clear Text
• Ideal for Gear Bag or Backpack, Tote Bag or Purse
• Dry Highlight
• Write and Underline
• No Bleed Thru
• F L O A T S

The durability of the Waterproof Bible gives you the freedom to take God's Word with you anywhere - lounging, fishing, exercising, traveling, camping, missions... with worry free confidence that your Bible will withstand the test of time.

Connect with the Waterproof Bible:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Vimeo Channel

Be sure to check out what everyone else had to say about the Waterproof Bible over at Mosaic Reviews! The link will be available on Friday, May 17. The Mosaic Reviews team put this resource to the test and the photos are interesting!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this product from Bardin Marsee Publishing to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review for Mosaic Reviews. This author was under no obligation to offer a favorable review. All opinions shared about the product are the honest responses of Sharra Badgley. Your results and opinions may vary.
  

{Review} Ooka Island Adventure

Do your students enjoy online educational games for learning?

Our daughter, nephew, and niece love the dynamic learning environments available in some of their favorite online educational games and mobile apps. Just recently, my nephew was excited to get an introduction to Ooka Island Adventure which I reviewed for Mosaic Reviews.

Ooka Island Adventure is an online reading system for Preschool to 2nd Grade (ages 3-7). This innovative program is an online reading program set up in a virtual world / game play environment.

Ooka Island is structured with a unique three-part Learning Flow Cycle:

1. Guided Play - focuses on phonological / phonic development (20 minute activity).
2. e-Reader - 85 e-Readers focus on word, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension concepts (7-10 minute activity).
3. Free Play - offers students activities that support their literacy development (8 minute activity).

 Nuts and Bolts of Ooka Island's Eye/Ear Reading Method:

• focuses on the five pillars of reading instruction:
• phonemic awareness
• phonetics
• vocabulary
• fluency
• comprehension
• includes 80 hours of leveled and guiding reading activities
• uses visual and auditory skills
• features 562 scaffolded phonological skill activities in the program
• offers 85 leveled and sequenced Ooka Island e-Books

The virtual world of Ooka Island Adventure offers comprehensive literacy activities that are designed for students to achieve results in as little as 8 hours. The program is backed by educational research and proven methods of literacy instruction.

What I enjoyed about the Ooka Island Learn-to-Read System:

• set-up of the program only took minutes to complete
• students pick out their own customized Hero avatar (see Malachi's mohawk in the photo above)
• each daily lesson is approximately 30 minutes of instruction and activities
• the interactive lessons are so fun that Malachi wants to do a few lessons per day
• the innovative READirect is individualized and adapts to each student
• the adaptability makes this program great for all students from gifted to struggling learners
• the student is able to progress at their own natural pace
• Workbook downloads of vocabulary and comprehension activities for the e-Readers 
• Blended Learning activities include a mix of online and print options
• colorful Motivational Tools are available for download
• instant reporting tools for parents through the Lighthouse 
• the Ooka Compass Reading Assessment is available for first grade and above
• a free Ooka Tunes mobile app for iOS is available with sing-along songs from the program

What you need to know before purchasing:

• the program requires a high-speed internet connection
• the FAQs provide detailed answers to questions you may have
• the daily lessons are short (30 minutes) but your child might ask to work on several lessons per day due to the interactive video-game nature
• the program is a virtual-world style, but it is private play with only one student in the system
• the system will not direct your child to outside websites or content
• you can read more about Safety at this link
• you can select a monthly or yearly subscription
• the best discount is available through a yearly family subscription (37% off savings) and you can use the additional 30% off code to maximize the savings
• visit the Video Tour to see the program in action

Malachi is an emergent reader (Kindergarten level) and we use a variety of blended learning resources (print, online, audio, mobile apps) for phonics instructions. At first I was hesitant to rely on an online computer-based system for phonics/reading instruction, but reviewing this resource completely changed my mind! We are able to see immediate results in literacy development. I greatly appreciate the comprehensive reports that are available within the Lighthouse.

The program offers quite a few downloadable resources including the Ooka Island Book Path printables where you can track progress for each level.

One of the greatest selling points for our family is Malachi is excited to do his schoolwork in Ooka Island because it is fun. He typically wants to complete several lessons at a time. He is proud of his accomplishments and the program allows plenty of opportunities to celebrate success with each level gained.

Zolie loves to join in on the fun with her big brother. She is two years old and loves to have school with the big kids too. We enjoyed reviewing Ooka Island Adventure and it is a welcome addition to our curriculum line-up for 2013-14.

 

Product Details:
Title:Ooka Island Adventure
Author(s): Ooka Island Team
Format: Instant Download for Mac or PC; Software on Disc or Flash Drive (shipped)
Retail Price: Home Edition Pricing

Publisher Description:
The Ooka Island Adventure is an adaptive learn-to-read technology for Pre-K to 2nd Grade. The combination of the innovative features below make it a powerful tool to accelerate the reading development of emergent readers as they move along the path to fluent reading.

Special Offer:
You can receive 30% off any annual or monthly subscription to the Ooka Island Learn-to-Read Adventure! Simply Click Here for the link to receive 30% off. This discount offer is only valid through June 1st.

Connect with Ooka Island:
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
YouTube

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this product from Ooka Island to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review for Mosaic Reviews. This author was under no obligation to offer a favorable review. All opinions shared about the product are the honest responses of Sharra Badgley. Your results and opinions may vary.