Kinderbach App for IPad - A Review

Kinderbach: Simply Discover Piano...an App for IPad

$26.99 for full ad-free Classroom Version


Special!  Special!  Special!

This coupon code gives 30% off any order - homeschool, classroom, online or DVDs.

Coupon Code:  TOS_crew2012

Expires: 12/31/2012

Also the KinderBach App is on sale This Friday, Oct. 19th, 2012 ONLY.  The app will be discounted over 50%, down to $12.99! No code needed just the link to the Classroom KinderBach app in the App store:

https://itunes.apple.com/app/classroom-kinderbach-school/id534998629?mt=8

An online computer version is also available, if you prefer.  Here are some samples.

by the company Kinderbach







Geared towards ages 3-7

 

Brief description from the website:
KinderBach's App for iPad or iPhone brings the teachings of Karri Gregor to your device. The KB App features Levels 1, 2 & 3 and offers a year's worth of entertaining music education for 3 to 7 year old children through video, interactive coloring pages and games. Miss Karri introduces preschoolers to the keyboard characters with stories and fun tunes. Kids will enjoy playing simple songs, identifying music direction and pitch, learning rhythm notes and their beat value. Levels 1 to 3 cover proper hand and finger position, as well as note reading by pattern for voice, and keyboard.

Instructor:  Karri Gregor

Karri began teaching her children piano when they were very young.  Gradually she worked her way up to teaching 150 students.  After moving, she decided to begin teaching by videos so that students would be able to learn, even if she were to move again.  You can read the story in more detail on her website.



The Course Syllabus can be seen here.

Kinderbach provides many on-screen activity sheets.  They are a great addition to the program, both to entertain and to reinforce.  They were a big hit with my daughter.

 Before you know it, your little one will be playing songs.

This is the 3rd time that I have reviewed Kinderbach.  The 1st and 2nd times, I reviewed the online program.  You may wish to read those reviews as well. 

I am a huge fan of Kinderbach.  It is such a great way to introduce the little ones to music, piano, and sheet reading.  Karri makes it fun, with the cute little characters like Dodi and the neat little correlations like Dodi's house being between the two black keys.

It teaches how to keep rhythm and time, with things such as clapping to a steady walking beat.    And Karri reminds us that most anything can be used as a musical instrument, to keep the beat value.

Karri's videos are short and sweet and she is good at keeping a young child's attention.  Her voice is pleasant to listen to, which is very important.  Each sesction is broken into 5 sections (an intro and 4 short sessions).  It also includes a game and printable worksheets, if you have the ability to print.  

If your child is just in a playing kind of mood, he can go straight to the game section and choose an activity from there.  It includes a cute little game for teaching children the correct finger numbering.

Of course one neat feauture of the I-Pad app is that it has a built-in piano.  This simplifies matters, so that you can use the app most anywhere without having to be near a computer.  My 3 year old daughter thought this was super cool.

I think the Kinderbach program is a wonderful program.  It is geared directly to the preschool set, with the lively videos and songs.  My 3 year old enjoyed the lessons and the games.  She enjoyed keeping the beat value, preferring to use the built-in keyboard as her instrument of choice.  She quickly caught on to the fingering game, even though this was a totally new concept to her.  She has already begun learning some very invaluable information, and having fun at the same time.

I think the Kinderbach program is great.  Whether you decide to go with the online version or with the Ipad App, I think your prechsooler will not only enjoy it, but benefit and learn from it.           


Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.

ZooWhiz - A Review

ZooWhiz -  brought to you by EdAlive
Designed for ages 5 -15
The site offers a Free Keeper Subscription

and also a Premium Zoologist Subscription - currently $14.95/year (This is the subscription I reviewed)

Many children, mine included, love choosing their own avatar for online games

About ZooWhiz, in their words:
"It’s FREE for you to use with your kids at home. Just create a FREE Keeper Account and they’re away!

• For even more motivation and learning power upgrade to the very affordable PREMIUM Zoologist Subscription
• The educational content is drawn from a bank of over 17,000 carefully-crafted, finely-incremented learning activities
• Comprehensive coverage of maths, punctuation, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, word skills, phonics, phonemics and reading
• Designed for kids aged 5 to 15 with plenty of scope to assist those finding work hard and opportunity to extend even the most able student." 

From the home page, students choose their activities, including "Learn & Earn"

Difficulty levels are customizable by age range.  You can go up and down as needed and view activity results within each level.

ZooWhiz makes math more fun and interactive.

What a cute way to practice grammar.

ZooWhiz covers most of the basics, including phonics, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary.

With those hard-earned coins, children can buy animals at the zoo.  They can also play games at the arcade.

So the basic premise is this.  You choose the grade level you would like your child to learn at; you can always change it later.  Your student uses the "Learn and Earn" section to practice math and English skills.  After earning money, they can use the money in the "Arcade" to play games and also in the "Biodome" to buy animals for the zoo.

What my daughters and I enjoyed about ZooWhiz:

1. It makes learning more fun.  It is interactive and colorful.

2. There is an incentive to learn, earning coins for the other activities.

3. They enjoyed the arcade games very much.

4.  Age range levels are adjustable.  If you find the questions are all too difficult, you can go down a level.  If you find the questions aren't challenging enough, you can go up a level.

5. The price is VERY reasonable at only $14.95 a year for the Zoologist Subscription.  This is the subscription level we reviewed, so all my opinions are based on this subscription.

What my daughters and I didn't enjoy as much about ZooWhiz:

1. In the "Learn and Earn" section, you do earn coins for getting questions right.  But you also lose coins, for getting questions wrong.  This was discouraging to my girls.  It made them hesitant to try on questions they weren't sure about.  

2.  Games are 50 coins each and are timed.  I know this is so children will spend more time on the learning and less time on the arcades.  But the time just isn't long enough.  My daughters would choose the coloring game and not even finishing "painting" the picture before the timer would go off.  Then it would cost them another 50 coins to go back into the game and finish.  Thankfully, the game does save your progress.  You don't have to start over on the game.
3. The animals that you buy for the zoo aren't at all interactive.  They are more like trading cards.  Just something to look at and read about (habitat, diet, etc.).  My daughters expected to be able to do something with the animals.  But that isn't the case.
They quickly lost interest in purchasing them and went back to the arcades.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.

Beeyoutiful Prodcuts - A Review

Beeyoutiful Presents:  Berry Well, Miracle Skin Salve, Ow!-Ease, and Lip B.A.L.M.



 Beeyoutiful is a wonderful company.  I have reviewed from them in the past and have also purchased from them.  They are a Christian company, very serious about customer service and quality products.

 
The BEAUTIFUL company, BEEYOUTIFUL, sent me an assortment of products to review.  I will list them separately and tell you about my experiences.

 Berry Well  8oz. - $19.75

From the site - "Never fear the flu when you keep Berry Well on hand. Each ingredient in this pleasantly fruity syrup holds its own against flu, colds, and a swarm of bacterial and viral infections. This organic Elderberry Syrup contains Propolis, Raw Honey, and Echinacea."

I have read rave reviews about Berry Well, so I was eager to try it for myself. When we opened the bottle, my family all smelled it and no one else volunteered to try it.  But I did and have taken it over the course of the past few weeks.  I find the taste to be strong and it causes me to shiver.  But I don't mind.  I take medicine to feel better, not because I do or don't like the taste.  So anyway, I have been taking it and haven't gotten sick.  But neither has the rest of my family, for which I am grateful.  So I wasn't sure what I was going to say in my review.  But then I watched the included DVD and saw that it can also be used for allergies.  Well, soon after that my allergies acted up.  My nose drove me nuts for hours.  Then I remembered about Berry Well.  I took it and noticed a great improvement within 30 minutes.  This was after hours of being miserable, and then BAM!, it was so much better.







Miracle Skin Salve 2oz - $15.00 or 4oz - $25.00

From the site - "Don’t be rash! Miracle Skin Salve promotes deep healing and restoration using a soothing blend of organic herbs and oils. From sunburn, chapped lips, and diaper rash to painful wounds and burns, apply salve as often as needed and watch your skin smile!"

 I had an allergic reaction on my wrist after weeding in the yard.  It remained there for several weeks.  Then after weeding again, I had a reaction on my other wrist.  Both continued to flare up and itch.  Then I received this product.  I slathered it on both wrists.  And I am not kidding!  It has been about 3 weeks now, and the rashes are completely and haven't bothered me since that day.





Ow!-Ease 1oz - $15.00

From the site - "Ease your pain away. Using a proprietary blend of herbs, Ow!-Ease relieves pain associated with sprains, strains and pulled ligaments and muscles, bruises, and contusions. It works quickly and effectively to help reduce swelling and muscle pain, and is excellent as a rub for body builders, construction workers, and gardeners alike. The amazing qualities of these herbs work synergistically to soothe, restore, and actually speed tissue healing."

One of my daughters had her foot stepped on while wearing flip-flops.  It was very painful and sore.  I put the Ow!-Ease on it and she found it provided relief.  Kind of like a numbed tingling feeling.

One of my other daughters had a bad bruise on her leg.  I had her apply this a few times.  Although she didn't like the greasy feeling, she did find it helpful and soothing.



Lip B.A.L.M. - $3.00

From the site - "Who hasn’t struggled at some point with dry, chapped lips?

Either during the dry winter months, after being outside gardening or during sporting events, or even during a cold. Conventional lip moisturizers can be harsh and even damaging to fragile lip membranes with chemicals and fuel derived bases. Beeyoutiful’s all natural Lip Balms offer you a choice of a soothing, healing lip balm that you can be confident in the ingredients, knowing you are using the very best on your lips!
The convenient size fits in your purse, pocket, diaper bag or gym bag for easy access wherever you may be."

One of my daughters suffers from constant chapped lips.  She is constantly hunting for lip moisturizers around the house to provide relief, when her lips are hurting.  So, receiving lip moisturizer to review is a big hit around our house.  I love that this lip balm is all natural.  I don't have to worry about what my daughter is putting on her lips.  Or if she were to lick her lips, what she would be putting into her system.  No chemicals here. 

Beeyoutiful Views DVD - $3.00

From the site - "In this DVD, Stephanie Tallent shares how she uses some of the most popular Beeyoutiful products in her home with her husband Steve and daughter Noelle."

I thought this DVD would just be an ad to try to sell products.  But it was more than that.  It took us into Stephanie's home and showed us how they used the products in real life situations.  I learned some interesting facts and appreciated her candor.



Overall, I am impressed with this company and with their products.  I love that their products not only work, but that they are also made up of natural ingredients instead of harmful chemicals.


Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.

Box of I.D.E.As - Pearl Harbor - A Review

World War II - Pearl Harbor
$79.00
Age Range: Approx. 9 - 16 years of age

Presented by

Box of I.D.E.As. offers several other unit studies are available, including salt and quilting.


A little about Box of I.D.E.As. from their site:
"Box of IDEAs are ideal for teaching multi level students, focusing on age 9 to 16. Designed to get kids off the computer and around the table, Box of IDEAS are great to supplement your current curriculum but can also be used for homeschool group activity, summertime learning and as a break from the normal routine"







A little about the Pearl Harbor box from their site:
" World War Two Pearl Harbor is an in depth look into the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor as well as the events surrounding the United States entry into World War Two, specifically in the Pacific. This box not only deals with the attack itself but everything that came before and after. This detailed exploration of the "date that will live in infamy" will not only expose your kids to a detailed history of events but also to aspects of the big picture that you may have never thought of before. Never before have you seen such a comprehensive overview of this important part of World War Two including all that came before and after."



Our Thoughts:

At the end of the last school year, my family finished up a unit study on Pearl Harbor.  So when the Box of I.D.E.As came up for review, of course I picked the unit about Pearl Harbor.  I had enjoyed the study and was curious to see what else we could learn about it.

Not only did I like the topic, but I also liked the idea of having all the work done and ready for me.  Each topic is bagged up separately, ready for use when you need it.  A list of "extras" needed is listed right on the bag's label...things like a ruler or scissors.  I am thankful to have received the box edition.  I imagine the PDF version would get rather pricey, with all the color printing.

Topics include...
     Before becoming a base
     Beginning of a Naval Presence
     A Week Before the Attack
     Day of Infamy
     Day After the Attack
     Weeks After the Attack
     Six Months After the Attack
     A Year After the Attack
     Victory Over Japan
     Decades After the Attack

There are 10 modules in this box.  The site mentions that the modules can be studied in any order, but I recommend that with a history topic, you start at the beginning...Especially if you have a limited knowledge of the subject.  The first module starts before the bombings, before Pearl Harbor was a military base. 

When you pick up a bagged module, you will notice a list of required items, usually something as simple as a pencil.  You will also see a quote.  I personally am a sucker for quotes; I LOVE them.  This can be used for copy-work or simply to ponder.  On the module about journalism, you will find this quote.

"I don't think a reporter should give advice or make predictions, " Peter Jennings

I found it amusing to read about how journalists should be un-biased and neutral, with "just the facts, ma'am."  If only!  Boy, how far we have strayed from that goal.

Inside the bag, you will find a brief introduction to the topic.  The information was interesting and we did learn things we hadn't learned last year during our unit study. I appreciated that the study began before the attack, giving some background, and that it continued on years after the attack.  It gave us a nice overall look at the attack on Pearl Harbor.  But some lessons were shorter than others, and those left me wanting for more.  I would love to see more details.  However, the info sheet does include web-links for further study.

Along with the lesson is a worksheet.  The worksheet is a nice way to see how much your child learned from the lesson.  It gives us a chance to put the lesson into action.  For example, in the 1st module titled "Before  Becoming a Base," students will measure pictures of pearls.  In the 5th module titled "Day After the Attack," students read articles from the day after the attack and note which ones gave opinions and which ones gave just the facts.  Then they will do some journalism of their own, again some with just the facts and some including opinions.  

Each lesson, or module, also includes an activity.  Putting a deck of cards (featuring noteworthy events during the attack) into timeline order was probably my daughters' favorite.  There were also activities such as a game similar to "Go Fish" using a deck of cards featuring endangered animals. One activity was using copies of actual newspaper headlines to answer a variety of questions.  My girls would have enjoyed this activity and were looking forward to trying it out.  But many of the copies had print so tiny and blurry, that we could barely read more than the headlines.  Since we couldn't read the articles, we weren't able to answer the questions. But just looking at the print copies from the day after the bombing was a history lesson, in and of itself.

The included materials, such as the newspaper copies, truly are a history lesson.  These were some of the most enjoyable parts of the study.  Seeing a copy of President Roosevelt's marked-up speech for Congress.  Looking over articles from across the nation printed on December 8, 1941.  Actual photos from Pearl Harbor on the back of activity cards.  I like that the company included so many visual aids, in addition to the included web-links.

My daughters did mention that a lot of the activities seemed very similar, just being variations of card games.  Although the cards were colorful and interesting, it kind of seemed repetitive.  I don't think this is a big deal.  It is just one part of the bigger picture...including worksheets, web-links, and extra research and assignments.  But that being said, I do think it would be nice to add a few extra hands-on activities (not card related).

Box of I.D.E.As is an interesting idea and a creative product.  It makes history easier to teach and more fun to learn.  The worksheets, the web-links, the activities.  It is very hands-on and user friendly.


Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge, as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.