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"Mom, Can I Work On The Computer, Please?" - Big IQ Kids Review




Our latest product review for The Old Schoolhouse is Big IQ Kids.   I had never heard of BIG IQ Kids until just a few weeks ago.  Now, I'm wondering how we ever survived without it!   I am, however, getting a little tired of my kids only wanting to work on Big IQ Kids!!  I'd like to tell you about this web-based program that encompasses math, spelling, vocabulary, and states.


We were given a one year, full premium membership to all areas of the site.   You can use certain areas of the site for free, but if you want your students' progress tracked or for them to have the option of  advancing once they master a concept, then you should go for the paid version.  The paid version also allows your children to customize their "buddies" and have full access to the games (and the games are a HIT!)  For pricing options, click here. I was going to attempt to explain it all to you, but Big IQ offers a nice chart on their site, so check it out. 


Each of my children were provided with their own login and password and were given the opportunity to create their own "buddy".    I made Big IQ Kids a bookmark in our browser, so any time it was computer time they could easily click on the bookmark and get to work.   I new they would never be off task because:  a) they liked the program so much they stuck with it, and b) progress reports were mailed to me and I could check them online as well.  




What Does Big IQ Kids Offer?

All of Big IQ Kids' activities can be tailored to fit anyone pre-school all the way through adult.   

A complete spelling program - with ready-made lists by grade level OR you may enter your own list.   We used the latter option and used Big IQ activities to reinforce our spelling lessons.   Both of my children enjoyed the lessons, tests, quizzes, and fun games.


A vocabulary program - This was very closely linked to the spelling program (using either your own list or a ready-made list), and to be honest, we didn't use it that much.  My daughter found it not as interesting as the rest of the activities in Big IQ Kids.  

A complete math program - Each day my children would do a drill with 50 problems.  I could customize what types of problems I wanted them to do, which I really liked.  Notice the clock (a cool feature!).  


A U.S. States program - This is what we used the most.  There were four areas of the states program: spelling, abbreviations, location, and state capitals.  Each area had different levels to progress through at the student's own pace.    


Spelling and Vocabulary Competitions -- kind of like your own virtual spelling bee -- lots of fun!  

What The Experts Are Saying:

I went to the experts (my children!) and asked them their likes and dislikes about Big IQ Kids.   There was only one negative, and that came from my daughter, who just absolutely did not like the computer synthesized voice.   In fact, she called it "a little creepy".  Other than that, the program was a resounding success all around!   The favorite things about Big IQ for my children were (and I'm quoting here!):

The lessons weren't too long.

It's fun to move up a level and earn game coins
.
It's good that mom gets an email when I complete something.

I could play the cupcake maker game all day long!  (Mom did have to put a limit on this, but they do have to earn game tokens, so that's a good thing!)

The Final Word From Mom:

This program was a huge success in our house.   We used Big IQ Kids daily.   I loved the customization options, parent reports and the fact that I could enter my children's spelling lists.   I would recommend (if you are seriously interested in Big IQ Kids) to try the free membership for a bit and decide if you want to invest in the premium membership.  Be warned:  there could be fighting over the family computer because of Big IQ Kids! 

The only negatives I could find were the synthesized voice and that it wasn't compatible with the iPad.  The price is a little steep, but if you would make this an integral part of your curriculum, you might think it's worth the investment.   In my opinion, however, those aren't deal breakers for our family.    In fact, now I see why this product won a blue ribbon award from TOS last year!


If you'd like to see what other TOS Crew members are saying about this program, visit the Crew Blog


Disclaimer: I received the above named product from TOS Crew in return for my honest review. I have not been compensated in any other form.       
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Weekly Wrap Up #6 - Bye Bye TV!


Week 6:

Scripture Memory:  Psalm 1 (continued from last week)
Composer/Composition:  Vivaldi's Four Seasons
Read-Aloud:  Caddie Woodlawn & The Kid Who Only Hit Homers

Oh sure, I could go through each subject for the weekly wrap-up, but as I look back at the week it occurs to me that it was a hodge podge of many things.   We did accomplish all of the "basics", but it was the extras and fun things that stick out to me this week.   

The heat has broken and now in the morning it's not so hot when we take the dog out, and we can hear the birds singing! This is good, because we are learning about bird songs in Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day!   If you use this science book, might I recommend Birdjam?  We love it! (In fact, this was our favorite resource this week -- I'm linking to Learning All The Time!)  As we listened to the birdcalls of birds found in our yard, I could see the lightbulbs going off in the kids' heads... so amazing to us that God created so many birds with so many unique and beautiful songs.  


This past week was a bit of a milestone for us.  We gave up all forms of pay television.  Now we only use our ROKU box and have a monthly subscription to HULU (which is FAR cheaper than satellite or cable!).  Last night when the president was giving his speech I just watched it on the iPad via Fox News.  I think the way we watch television is changing and it is ridiculous to pay the high costs cable providers and satellite providers are asking.   We've been hooked on a wonderful show, that I know would interest homeschoolers:  Buried Treasure.  You would be amazed at what we've been learning about art and culture in general from this show.   Try watching it with your family and let me know what you think.  
   
Miss B did a little sewing.  She picked out these fabrics and wants to make some pillows.  She started hand sewing while she watches Little House on the Prairie.  (I really have an old soul on my hands!) The top fabric she thought looked like something Caddie Woddlawn might have worn!  


To conclude our study of Ohio, we made Buckeyes (oh yum!) together.   Miss B delivered some to our neighbor (who is from Ohio) and sat down with him to interview him about his state.  This was a fun way to learn more, and our neighbor loved sharing that the first stop light occured in Ohio!  


The kids both worked on "The Year" from First Language Lessons.  They are illustrating it a bit at a time.  This was really just supposed to be for GMan, but Miss wanted to join in, too.  


In The Story of The World, we were reading about Ancient China and tangrams.  I pulled out our set of tangrams (we love  these Mighty Mind tangrams!) and I left the kids alone with them.   I told them to take a picture of each card as they completed it, and that worked well.   I found these tangrams at TJ Maxx for $4.99 last year -- I love bargain shopping!

Our 50 state study is going very well.   We worked on notebooking pages for Ohio, and also got out our state quarters sets.  My dad made a set of these for all of the grandchildren, and we are using ours quite a bit!  


Co-Op started Thursday!  The kids were SO glad to see their friends again and they both have very interesting classes.   The fun thing to do is play on the lawn with your friends before and after co-op.

It's also fun to chat with your friends or play thumb wars before assembly! 


This weekend is my husband's birthday (on 9/11).  We are going to celebrate with family and I'm making the cake from the cover of this month's Southern Living!  (I'm expecting mine to look just like the picture!) Sunday is a busy and exciting day because we have Hal's birthday and also a candidate for pastor coming to our church.  Our pianist is out of town, so I will be playing the service... no stress there!

I have two books to read with my children about 9/11 and hope I can explain this to them in a sensitive manner.  I've never sheltered them from the events of the day, but this will be the first time we've gone in depth.

I have to admit it's been a long week and I'm tired!  The kids didn't wake up this morning until 8:30 a.m. because we have had some late nights.  Miss B is spending the night with a friend and then going to a horse show tomorrow and GMan and dad will be at baseball practice, so I hope to get caught up with some housecleaning and other things.   

How was your week?   Can you believe it's nearly fall?

*I'm happily linking today with Learning All The Time and Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers!


Weird Unsocialized HomeschoolersFavorite Resource This Week



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