The newest online math product up for review is Math Galaxy.  If your child needs practice, these programs have you covered! The Math Galaxy software offers a wide range of math tutoring and review topics:

• Whole Numbers Fun
• Fractions Fun
• Decimals, Proportions, % Fun
• Word Problems Fun
• Pre-Algebra Fun
• Algebra Fundamentals
• Whole Numbers Worksheet Generator
• Fractions Worksheet Generator
• Decimals, Proportions, % Worksheet Generator
• Algebra Worksheet Generator
• Whole Numbers Riddles eBook
• Fractions eBook

Things we like:

• the simple, but very colorful, graphics
• focuses on a specific concept
• you can see a problem worked out step-by-step
• the riddles add an extra level of fun to the problems
• older grades are included

One thing I didn’t like as much is the number of steps required to enter an answer on some of the games – lots of clicking.

You can take a tour of the Galaxy HERE.

Try out several of the games at the bottom of the home page.

The Nitty Gritty:

• CD Rom $29.95 each

Value: These are a good deal compared to many of the online subscription programs out there. They can be used for multiple students.

See what my TOS Crew Mates have to say about Math Galaxy!

I received free downloads of all of the programs for the purpose of writing an honest review. no other compensation was given.

I love to browse around Homeschool in the Woods. Their Time Travelers studies are just so neat! I was thrilled to review their new Olde World Style Maps.

The World Maps set comes in ancient and modern styles. The maps come with or without labels and borders.

This set comes with a BONUS of over 40 notebooking pages with reports, facts sheets, flags and graphics.

The United States Maps set contains maps of each state plus maps from American History. The maps come with labels, without labels, and outline form.

This set comes with a BONUS of facts sheets for each state and full-color state flags.

These maps are gorgeous. We are studying the 13 colonies in American History and I wanted the girls to label them on a map. I headed to Google Images like usual when I suddenly remembered that I had just received these sets. Sure enough, I found the perfect map in the ones from American History!

You can download free samples from the blue boxes on the left.

The Nitty Gritty:

• $18.95 each or both for $28.95

Value: Every homeschool should have a set of these!

See what my TOS Crew Mates have to say about Homeschool in the Woods!

I received free downloads for the purpose of writing an honest review. No other compensation was given.

Peek into most homeschoolers’ homes and you will find shelves full of book. The two go hand in hand. Homeschool Library Builder wants to “fill your bookshelves without emptying your wallet”.

Homeschool Library Builder is a good source for inexpensive new & used books. Sign up for a free membership and earn HSLB Book Points. Every 15 points earns you $1 off a future purchase.

In addition to the usual categories, you can search by curriculum: Ambleside, Beautiful Feet, Five In A Row, Heart of Dakota, Sonlight, Tapestry of Grace & Veritas Press. We used Heart of Dakota for a few years and I had a hard time finding used books. I wish I had known about HSLB!

Here are a few more helpful features:

• spotlight on the season
• search by country/region
• clearance

The Nitty Gritty:

• membership is free!

Value: This is a great resource for families who don’t have a good public library, or for those who just want to create their own library.

See what my TOS Crew Mates have to say about HSLB!

No compensation was given for my honest review.

Math Mammoth has been one of my favorite products to review! I chose the First Grade Complete Curriculum (Light Blue Series) for my son (7). We started the year out with Saxon Math. I used it successfully with his older sisters, but he was bored out of his mind. Math is extremely easy for him and Saxon’s spiral method wasn’t challenging him.

I was clearing out my computer files when I came across Division I (Blue Series) – I received a free download a couple of years ago, so I decided to use it for this review too.

Here are the workbooks available:

Blue Series – Worktexts by Topics

• Worktexts with both explanations and problems.
  
• Each book is on a particular topic, such as clock, multiplication, or geometry.
  
• Cover topics in grades 1-6.

Light Blue Series – Full Curriculum

• Covers grades 1-5.
  
• Mastery-oriented.
  
• Emphasizes conceptual development in a logical sequence.
• Practically self-teaching – only a little teacher involvement needed

Golden Series – Worksheets by Grade

• For grades 3-8, organized by grade.
  
• Contain problems only

Green Series – Worksheets by Topics

• For grades 3-7, organized by topic.
  
• Contain problems only

Making It Real Learning

• activities contain challenging parts and therefore allow students to practice real problem solving – not just apply knowledge from textbook examples to other almost identical problems

States by the Numbers

• the problems in each workbook are based on data from the Census Bureau’s 2008 Statistical Abstract of the United States50 workbooks in the series — one for each state
• each workbook includes basic instruction and 80 practice problems. The problems can be used on grades 3-7; probably the best fit is for grades 4-6.

How we use Math Mammoth:

My 7 yr. old does 2-3 pages of First Grade Light Blue a day. He is able to pretty much work on his own. (I stay close by to help him along.) The problems are designed to help all types of learners – counting objects under each problem, drawing objects, using mental math. I don’t make him draw everything unless he needs it to figure out the problem. He loves this because he can fly right through without having to do busywork.

Around the beginning of the year, Hubby & I decided to make a major shift in math for our older girls (11 & 12) and my niece (11-she schools with us). We decided to transition to living math. My girls were doing a good job in math. They could answer the problems quickly and correctly. What they couldn’t do was explain why they got the answer, and their textbook learning wasn’t carrying over into daily life. Our first step was to go back & really nail down the basics, and that is where Division I came in handy. The girls love working through the same topic everyday. It is finally starting to click! My niece, who struggles with math, told me that it really makes sense to her when she is not skipping around.

You can view samples by clicking on each workbook. You can can also receive 300+ free worksheets by signing up HERE.

The Nitty Gritty:

• Blue Series  $2 – $7 each
  
• Light Blue Series  $15.50 – $29.70
• Golden Series  $7.25 – $13.50
• Green Series  $4.25 – $9.00
• Package Deals Available

Value: You can’t get much cheaper than this! They are e-books, so they can be used for several students.

See what my TOS Crew Mates have to say about Math Mammoth!

I received a free download for the purpose of writing an honest review. No other compensation was given.

We received the Season’s of Faith series from Children’s Bible Hour. You might be familiar with CBH because of their Keys for Kids studies and radio shows.

Each book in the series deals with a different season of faith.

Spring: This is a time when people experience new life in Christ. Faith develops and Christians begin to share the Salvation message with others.

Summer: The season when faith grows under God’s love and care. Fruit is witnessed and triumphs are gained through applying His Word and striving to be the best we can be in Christ.

Autumn: Times of struggle and temptation, peer pressure, making mistakes, and scary transitions happen during this season. Even though it might seem like nothing good can come from this time, God has promised us He will be there. He will teach us how to forgive and then grow in grace.

Winter: This season is the most difficult. Deep struggles, mourning, trying to make it through difficult times, or the death of a loved one can pull us away from God. He teaches us to lean on Him for comfort and peace.

There are discussion questions to go along with the books.

These books come with the story on CD, which my kids love! Mommy loves it too.  😉

The Nitty Gritty:

• $10 each or $40 for the set
• SALE order between March 17 and April 15, 2010, and get free standard shipping with the purchase of the 4 book set when you use the code FREESHIPAPR15

Value: These books are made to last! The cover has a very durable coating. The illustrations are beautiful and the books would make great gifts.

See what my TOS Crew Mates have to say about Children’s Bible Hour!

I received a free set of books for the purpose of writing an honest review. No other compensation was given.