Homeschool Spanish Academy

Looking for a Spanish Curriculum where your children are engaged lesson after lesson? How about a curriculum that brings the Language right into your home? Do you have children that are reluctant about doing any kind of homework? These are the questions that came to my mind when I first was asked to review Homeschool Spanish Academy. For the past two years my daughter Michelle has been on a mission to learn the Spanish language. I can't tell you how many books and programs we tried and to no avail , it ended up being pushed to the side in hopes that something better would come along. Not because Michelle lost interest in learning the language, it just wasn't working. Enter Homeschool Spanish Academy.

                                                                     
Every Monday Michelle has been eagerly waiting on her lesson from her personal Maestra (teacher), Senorita Paredes.          

Through the program you are able to schedule the classes according to your families schedule. Also after scheduling your appointment for classes you get a reminder the day before the class. Nice incentive for the very busy, but I already had a built in reminder (Michelle). Michelle has completed four classes and has received two homework assignments. Both of which she completed as soon as they arrived via email. My daughter absolutely loved receiving a copy of the lesson as well.

                                                           A homework assignment.

Lesson.

Michelle's Spanish has been improving after each lesson. Michelle waits for her homework to arrive so she can dive right in. Which is such a treat to see, usually homework isn't so welcomed here. I asked Michelle what she like the best about this program. She said "Everything"! Receiving Spanish lessons through Skype is such a fantastic way to bring the Native Language into your home. There were a few lessons that I was able to be in the same room during lesson time, I was IMPRESSED. Although we were giving this opportunity for review purposes, we are keeping this curriculum as part as our homeschool journey.

I know your all wondering how much is this, so here's the breakdown.

The bottom line. I am no longer looking for a curriculum to fulfill my daughters' desire to learn Spanish. I recommend Homeschool Spanish Academy to anyone who wants flexibility, an experienced Native Language Teacher who comes right into your living room(without you having to clean up:), and wants their child to become fluent in Spanish. By the way just the few minutes I was in the room during the lesson I learned a few words too:)

To see other crew members reviews please visit School House Review Crew

Disclaimer: I was given seven classes of one on one Spanish classes in return for this review. All of the opinions are my own.

Australia On My Mind: A Montessori Print Shop Giveaway

Montessori Print Shop is giving away

                A Wooden Australia Map puzzle

 Their Australia/Oceania Bundle which adds much flavor and hours of learning to your continent boxes. I happen to have all of them except this one, the kids absolutely enjoy looking at the beautiful photos (me too:)  You can choose if you want a color border or no border. If I win I am going to choose color (finger crossed).

 All of their Australia Maps.

And also my all time favorite product of theirs The Australia Pin Map set. I can't tell you enough how much my kiddos have loved learning geography using these pin maps.

In order to have a chance to win you have to pop over to Montessori Print Shop's blog and follow all of the guidelines, one missed click may make it easier for someone like myself to win (grin) . If you already have these awesome materials, I would go visit anyway the comments are packed with information regarding Australia. As soon as I publish this post my kiddos and I are going to go read some comments, they want to know what I am doing right now anyway. GOOD LUCK!!             


Disclaimer:  This is not a review!! All of my opinions expressed are purely HONEST. I am blogging about this giveaway because it will entitle me to 5 extra entries. I really want to win !!                                               

Fun Friday!!

This is what we are up to today.

Brushing up on some seasonal practical life skills, filling water balloons and tying them.  

                     Point of interest a water balloon fight:)

                                            

 Hula Hooping!! Brings back some good memories, I wonder if my parents have a picture of me doing this same thing. It is possible:)  

                                                                                                                                                                                                  

                Practicing Croquet.

I better go they are challenging me to a game of Chinese Jump Rope.

Life is good.                                                          
                                                                       

Daily Report: Time Well Spent At The Zoo

I love how I can see how much my kids have grown by visiting familiar places. We have been to the zoo several times, this was the first time that DJ actually used the map the whole time and was a wonderful tour guide.

 We decided to first visit some of our friends.

                             The Golden Tamarin

                      The Mandrills                                                          

                    And the Amur Tiger.

                  They asked a lot of questions to one of the Zoo Keepers, I mean a lot!!
                                                                    

 The Emerald Tree Boa was the subject of DJ's research today during his work period. So he was super excited to be able to see one at the zoo today.

      We also visited the park next to the zoo and they loved monkeying around there too :)                                                                                

Daily Report: June 20,2012

Now that the kids have gone through their worksheet phase it is time for me to get some works on the shelf. The kids have been busier than I thought they would be doing their school work( I am not complaining:), which makes me feel behind in preparing their work. This week has been very hot!! So being indoors during the hottest period of the day has contributed to this work explosion. I am happy that we will be able to make some material purchases very soon. So far in our official homeschooling journey I was only able to purchase three new to us Montessori materials ( not including downloads). Now that they are ready for many presentations it is important to me that they have the Bead Cabinet materials, Multiplication Checkerboard, Constructive Triangles( metal) ,  Fundamental Needs Of Man Cards, I think they will be making their own time lines, there is another math work that I am forgetting about right now. Thanks to a review item we have tons of map works that I just have to put together. Prepare some language works that I already purchased that they are now interested in. Also I need to find and research anything that has to do with the Elements they are all interested in this. I am praying that I will be able to purchase the Lego Mind Storm Kit for DJ, a much better sewing machine for Ken and an assortment of fabric with patterns, and a Screen Printing Machine for Michelle which means a trip to Hobby Lobby for the go along materials.  After making these purchases I would want this Microscope !! This microscope would become my kids best friend (not exaggerating one bit). I know that they will talk me into other purchases to support various projects along the way. I really think these purchases are necessary and will provide hours of work at least until January. We do school for six weeks and then off for a week. This helps prevent burnout, and did I ever mention that I strongly feel that sleep is under rated. My kiddos are just recovering from 6 in the morning days. These purchases do not define any goal setting, just what I know that they will get the most out of right now.

 DJ has falling in love with Calligraphy and combined his two most favorite things together while completing a journal page about the Emerald Tree Boa.

 His passion for math is in full effect right now. DJ has been blowing me away with his discovery of number patterns. He loves to figure out house numbers and how they relate to where they are on the street.

 Ken started painting her weather map , still more to do before this work is complete. Ken has falling in love with spell check and recently has been word processing tons of  formal letters.

         A butterfly emerged.

No pics of Michelle because you do not want to disturb an author at work. She has been diligently writing away. An Algebra textbook arrived yesterday well see how this works for her. Michelle says her favorite part of her day is when we read together. Oh Yeah! That reminds me to purchase some classics like Beowulf  for her reading pleasure. What I love about her choice of reading selections is that I would never read them otherwise. So I am learning that I avoided certain books for no reason, because I actually enjoy reading them too,well with her anyway.                                                                

Top Ten Tuesday

I have been having much fun reading other home schoolers' Top Ten on Tuesday so this week I have decided to join in.


MY TOP TEN REASONS FOR CHOOSING THE MONTESSORI METHOD AS OUR CURRICULUM


1. It isn't a curriculum it is a philosophy!! It allows me to cater to all of my children's learning styles.


2. It allows me to follow their interest through close observation.


3. The prepared environment allows my children to want to learn during a set time frame and even when I think school is over.


4. The materials have a built in control of error. This helps them to to not feel intimidated to learn new skills, they feel successful at the end of each day.


5. My children love their school work and have a desire to keep at skills that may not come naturally for them. They may work extensively on one skill and they don't feel any pressure to move on.


6. Their work time is not interrupted therefore their concentration can progress to tackle "harder" work.


7. They feel they are in charge of their learning. We make a work plan together and they stick to the contract that we agreed on .


8. My children can learn from each other by observing and helping each other without feeling obligated. They do this because they are proud that they have learned the skill and what to share.


9. They learn by intrinsic motivation. Bribes and rewards are not necessary.


10. They love knowing everyday is a new day and no two school days look alike.
                                               

Daily Report: A High Schooler Plans Their Work Day

 Michelle read from Beowulf and did some planning on paper today. This is really great that she took the time to do this, because it appears that her style of learning is project based. The planning pages will help her develop a timeline so she can set due dates and stay on task. Michelle plans to write a book in response to the book Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein, a clothing line and a documentary on the effects that Disney Princesses have on girls. Ken worked more on her weather map, completed a photography assignment, and did some vocabulary work. DJ did a note booking page to go along with his Snake reading books. It was really a good busy day and everyone stayed on task. What a joy it is to see children having fun learning!! I was too busy to take pictures, but DJ called me over to see what he was doing, so I was able to snap a shot of this work.

                    Illustrating a Corn Snake.

When Michelle has her planning pages complete I will be sure to share the ins and outs of this organized madness:) After the work period all the kids and I went to the park. After the park they were treated to root beer floats. Fun times!!