Saturday, April 13, 2013

TOS Review- Supercharged Science

I was asked to review Supercharged Science, an online science curriculum by e-science.  This was developed by Aurora Liper, a former NASA engineer, science teacher and homeschooling mom, along with her husband Al.



There are over 1,000 activities, projects and experiments.  It is very versatile and can be used as a supplement to your current program or as a stand-alone curriculum.  It is very hands-on, which certainly pleased my kiddos.  :-)


We used the program in addition to what we are currently using for science.  I would look through the videos/subject areas ahead of time to find ones that would correspond with what the kiddos were studying.  There is a great conversion chart which helps match up Supercharged Science experiments with what curriculum you are currently using for your children.

My kids loved finding the experiments and activities that corresponded with our lessons in our science book.  That being said, sometimes, they would just choose one that looked like "fun" and we would go with it.  That is where real learning takes place-- when there is interest, enthusiasm and creativity.  :-)  My oldest, who loves anything aviation, was thrilled to build a hovercraft.  The only problem I had with that was that I needed to go to three different stores and order something online to get everything he needed.  But, I'm sure I would have to do the same no matter what if he really wanted to make something like that.

In the photos below, my children are trying an experiment that illustrates the light beams in a microwave and how they go directly to water molecules.  Ivory brand soap has air and water in it and when the light beams hit the water molecules, they were amazed at what happened.  Look at how excited all four of them were staring to see what was going to happen!  Too cool!  :-)






(we were using the microwave we have in the basement just in case the experiment turned out messy, but there was no problem at all!)

My kids LOVED this program.  After every experiment, it was "Mom, let's do another one.  please!"  That says it all in my book.  If someone can make learning fun, especially Science, that they have truly accomplished something.  Science has become so mundane and boring and "textbook-y" to our kids today.  This program definitely changes all of that!  I could fill a dozen blog posts full of pictures like the ones above.  It was educational, fun, and hands-on.  We will enjoy using this program for the rest of the year, that's for sure!  :-)

There is a special offer going on now.  E-Science is offering a complete Supercharged Science mini program ($30 value) for FREE.  Visit this link to obtain a sample of science projects and activities.  It will give you an idea of how it would work for your children.

Supercharged Science is $37 per month for the K-8 level and $57 per month for the K-12 level.  This is for unlimited usage for your entire family.  You may cancel at anytime, and if you cancel within the first 30 days, you pay nothing.

From their website:

Membership benefits:

  • Videos of teaching real science to your kids, just like I do in an actual classroom
  • Text-book type reading to support the material in the videos
  • Hands-on activities and experiments, with videos that guide your kids through them. These activities and experiments are what really ignite a passion for science in most kids.
  • Homework exercises/quizzes so you can see what your kids are really learning, and tips for how to keep track of your progress in a real a science journal
  • A live science class in difference science areas every few weeks where you can connect with me personally
  • Parent resources for helping you give your kids the best science education they can get
  • A place to ask me questions (lots of them!)
  • Recordings of everything so your kids can do the program on whatever schedule AND at whatever pace suits them.

This was a fun and rewarding review to do!  I enjoyed working on the experiments as much as my children.  Although it could be costly at the monthly rate, when you are using the program for multiple children like in my house, it is definitely worth it and can easily be a stand-alone Science curriculum for your entire family, making it a value, for sure.

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Friday, April 12, 2013

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up- April 12

I can't believe it's Friday again.  Perhaps it's the Spring Fever, but boy, my head is spinning, lol.  :-)  We went from almost 90 degrees on Wednesday to around 60 degrees on Thursday and now torrential rains on Friday.  Spring is an unpredictable beast, at best, that's for sure.

This week was relatively uneventful, with the kiddos continuing work on their regular subjects. They were happy that the warmer weather earlier in the week allowed for lots of outdoor time and bike riding.  They are looking forward to their bowling league getting back started next week.  :-)

We also have some great field trips coming up including Valley Forge National Historical Park, the Glencairn Museum and the Philadelphia Art Museum.

On Monday, Kiddo #4 had her sewing lesson.  I have a feeling that there is something fishy going on, lol, since she wouldn't tell me what she is working on.  :-)  I can't wait!  Everything she has made has been so beautiful and I will be delighted with whatever she has chosen to make for me.

I canned fresh pineapple for the first time.  It came out beautifully.  I posted about it here on my weekly recipe post.  There were a lot of delicious recipes shared, as well.


Tuesday's highlight was the kiddos' Italian lesson.  Each kiddo made a power point to demonstrate their knowledge of singular and plural nouns and adjectives.  I was a proud mama!  :-)


On Wednesday afternoon, Kiddos 1 and 2 continued with their new online class.  I also shared a guest post that I wrote for the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.  You can read it here.

On Thursday, Kiddo #4 made her delicious brownies for everyone.  She made them herself with no assistance from mom at all.  :-)  (just to help with the in and out of the oven part) I didn't get a chance to get a photo of the finished product because it was gone so quickly!  :-)


I also posted my Thankful Thursday post that you can read here.  We had our classes at church and Kiddo #1 had his Civil Air Patrol.  He is looking forward to his Ranger Search and Rescue weekend next weekend.

Kiddo #1 has been busy enjoying the science videos for a product that I am reviewing.  The review will post in the next few days.  He is going to build a hovercraft next.  That is certainly right up his aviation alley!  :-)


All of the kiddos are excited that our little plants are growing well.  We are looking forward to being able to put them into our garden.  :-)



This is a short, sweet and late weekly summary.  :-)  I hope everyone has a great weekend!


Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's JournalWeekly Wrap-UpNOBHShow-Off FridayLearn and Link and It's a WrapFriendship Friday and Friday Connection

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Thankful Thursday- April 11

Thursday came and went last week without my Thankful post.  I promised myself that I would find the time because there is always something for which to be grateful.  If I teach my children to try to have an "attitude of gratitude," I need to try to always have one myself.  :-)

So, on this day, I am thankful for

my mom's successful cataract surgery this morning


my sons deciding on their own to clean out and vacuum the van the other day



Pets who can make you smile even when you have to do a task that would ordinarily be mundane


Fun time on the couch while we read aloud each day

A little sister who wants to surprise her big brothers with her homemade baking


What blessings are you grateful for today?


Linking up with ,Lisa at The Army Chap's WifeNOBH,Miscellany MondayRaising Homemakers and Modest Mom and Raising Mighty Arrows,, Spilled Milkshake,Crafty Spices Mom's Monday MingleMonday Mingleand Just the Stuff Ya Know

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

"Validation"- a Guest Post at TOS


I had a conversation with our family doctor the other day.  I had to call him about a question regarding a prescription for my husband, but our conversation quickly turned to other things, including my children.

I have known this doctor for more than half of my life.  My parents see him, my husband and I see him, and we wouldn’t trust our children’s health to anyone else.


To read the rest, please come visit the TOS Crew Blog, where I was honored to be asked to write a guest post.



Monday, April 8, 2013

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- April 9

It's time again for "Try a New Recipe Tuesday!"  I look forward each week to your submissions.

I have been using my pressure canner quite a bit again in the last few days.  Today, I canned fresh pineapple.  :-)



I processed the pint jars at 10 pounds of pressure for 18 minutes.  I boiled a water/sugar syrup to ladle onto the pineapple chunks in the jar. (I used a 1 to 1 ratio of cups of water and cups of sugar.


You can alter it to your personal preference)  I may just go back to the store tomorrow and pick up some more pineapple as it was on sale.



Last week's submissions were all wonderful, as usual! :-) Here are this week's features:









Friday, April 5, 2013

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up April 5

I just haven't been able to blog much this week.  :-(  But, I did want to share about our week, so I guess my slogan this week is definitely "better late than never."

Easter was wonderful.  My parents prepared a delicious dinner that we shared with each other, my aunt and uncle and my in-laws.  Kiddo #4 and I did the baking.  :-)  She was so proud to wear the skirt that she designed and sewed herself.


Easter Monday was a day off for us to enjoy with each other.  The kids played, relaxed and I took care of some necessary paperwork and of course, lots of laundry.  There is always plenty of that to go around.

Back to the grind on Tuesday.  We enjoyed our Italian lesson.  The kiddos are learning so much.  I also hosted my weekly "Try a New Recipe Tuesday."  Come by and see all of the delicious recipes that were shared, in addition to my homemade Pizzelles and Kiddo #4's Cocoa Crackles.  You can see them all here.


On Wednesday, Kiddos 1 and 2 started a new online class.



Kiddo #3 continued to make his power point presentation.  He takes all of the photographs himself, adds music and narration of the story.  I really enjoy watching them, as well as seeing how much work and effort he puts into each one.


I won a contest recently and was awarded the book "The Chicken and the Dog."  What a cute story.  Kiddo #4 read it to us all on Thursday.  Thursday concluded with our classes at church as well as Kiddo#1's Civil Air Patrol.


After our schoolwork on Friday, Kiddos #1 and 4 made us all homemade donuts and they got a much deserved time to bike ride.  We are having such beautiful weather and I wanted them to be able to take advantage of it.



We are also taking very good care of our little plants.  Yes, most of our seeds have now turned into plants.  It is wonderful to witness the process and to teach the children how to care for and nurture them.



Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's JournalWeekly Wrap-UpNOBHShow-Off FridayLearn and Link and It's a WrapFriendship Friday and Friday Connection