Switched on Schoolhouse Review

Last year, I was able to get a great deal on the Switched on Schoolhouse curriculum for my 5th grade son. Daniel was getting a bit overwhelmed with all of the textbooks, and I was overwhelmed with all of the paperwork involved with using the textbooks. Going to a computer-based curriculum was tempting, and the reviews I'd read praising SOS really encouraged me to give it a try. It was going to be a huge leap for us, because I'd never used any computer-based curriculum for my son. However, the ability to nix the books, paper tests and quizzes, averaging grades, etc. was quite tempting, so I gave up my traditionalist ways and forked out the dough.

There were good results and there were bad results.

Let me go through the disciplines one by one, and I'll tell you what I liked/disliked about each one.

Bible
Let me say that I absolutely loved the Bible curriculum. I was a little worried, because we're a KJV family, and I was a little concerned that the curriculum wouldn't allow that option. I was relieved to find that I could select for all verses to show KJV. The lessons were really good for my son. There were video clips, links to online maps, and games. He thoroughly loved the Bible lessons, and his grades in Bible were always good. I attribute that to how well my son enjoyed the lessons. He looked forward to his daily Bible lesson.

History/GeographyThis curriculum was satisfactory. Once again, there were video clips in some lessons, links to maps and resources. History is one of Daniel's favorite subjects, and the curriculum was challenging for him.

Language ArtsThe language arts curriculum encompasses reading, language, writing and spelling. I found this discipline to be fairly satisfactory, but somewhat limited. Some of the lessons were a bit choppy, and confusion reared its ugly head from time to time. There were some lessons that required my interception because my son didn't understand after reading the lesson. But all in all, I felt Language was satisfactory.

MathThe math curriculum is what I really just didn't like. With almost each new lesson, I'd have to step in and demonstrate for my son. In fact, it was so bad at one point during the school year that I told my husband that I'd just rather teach math myself! Some of the math lessons were severely limited. Detail wasn't always there. And the example problems were so easy that the problems he had to work in the lesson were confusing and frustrating for him. The problems he had to do were a lot harder than the example problem.

ScienceScience has always had a love/hate relationship with Daniel, so I didn't know exactly how this year would turn out with SOS. Right off the bat though there were projects that required a microscope. This was a problem for us, because we didn't have a microscope and the local university didn't have any for us to borrow. I ended up spending almost $200 for a microscope for the science projects. There were other projects that would've required us to fork out some more money, but we chose to skip those and pursue lessons from outside sources that weren't as costly. The lessons themselves were pretty good. I don't have any beef with the lessons.

Other AreasLet me cover some other areas that don't involve the disciplines.

Links
Many of the links in the lessons themselves arrive at a dead end--i.e. a 404 error. This was a disappointment to my son sometimes when he was looking forward to learning more about a topic.

Programmed GradingThe curriculum automatically grades the lessons for you. However, if a child doesn't spell something quite right or maybe a word isn't capitalized, a response may be marked incorrect. I had to make sure I went over each problem for each lesson/quiz/test and read each response to make sure his answers weren't incorrectly marked wrong.

BugsAt one point during the school year, I received a database error, and I was not able to access the curriculum at all. It had worked just fine the day before, there were no new updates that I had missed, and it just made no sense to have that problem. I had to scour the internet for several hours to figure out what the problem was. I downloaded a "fix" from the AOP website that fixed the problem, but I was worried that maybe I'd have the problem again. This was a big worry for me, because the curriculum is NOT cheap. If I had some kind of error that kept the curriculum from being used at all, this was not a good selling point for me to purchase their curriculum in the future!

Other necessities requiredI've found that requiring my son to keep a notebook of vocabulary words and basic notes was a must. Reading the lessons wasn't enough to ingrain in him what he needed to know. There is an option in the curriculum that you can print off the lessons, but when you consider how much money would be spent in ink and paper, it becomes a little frustrating. He had a notebook for each subject so that he could take notes and write vocab. words. When he didn't take notes, his grades showed it.

What I loved about SOSIn spite of all of the cons that I've listed, there were things that I truly enjoyed about SOS. I had purchased a laptop specifically for the use of SOS, and it was a wonderful thing! Having SOS on the laptop meant that I had more freedom with schooling my children. I was able to make visits to family and bring the schoolwork with us, and we didn't have a ten-pound backpack full of textbooks to lug around. I will miss that next year once I have to lug all of those books when we visit family.

I loved the administrative tools. I didn't have to do any averaging; I could just input some dates, and his grades popped right up on the screen. Simple!

My son loved the games that accompanied the lessons. My youngest son would often watch him play the spelling bee game.

I think I would give SOS a 3/5 stars. I can see how other families would really like it, but it was a no-go for us. I wouldn't mind using the Bible curriculum in the future; that was a big hit. But as far as Language, Math, and Science go, I prefer to teach that because with SOS I was having to intercede anyway.

My son sent me a little message in the program saying that he was glad to go back to textbooks next year, that SOS was just too confusing. That pretty much made up my mind completely that SOS is not for us.

For sixth grade, we'll be going back to ABEKA and Bob Jones. And that's ok with me. :)


I was not paid to give a review for SoS. My opinion is my own.

Spring for Susannah - a LitFuse Review

Spring For Susannah, written by Catherine Richmond, was a precious story. Susannah Underhill, the heroine in the story, finds herself alone after the death of her parents. Susannah had always felt like she wasn't good enough, felt she was plain-looking and undesirable, and she was shy. She finally decides that the only option for her is to become a mail-order bride. So she agrees to marry her pastor's brother Jesse Mason, who happens to live in the Dakota Territory. She boards a train and when she arrives at her destination, she finds that there is nothing there but a train platform. She believes she's there alone, only to find out Jesse has arrived to take her "home".

Throughout Jesse's and Susannah's journey, there's heartbreak and insecurity on Susannah's part, but through it all, she discovers that Jesse is her rock.

This story was so sweet. This is a really great novel, and it happens to be the author's first novel published! What a great first novel. :)


Catherine Richmond was focused on her career as an occupational therapist till a special song planted a story idea in her mind. That idea would ultimately become Spring for Susannah, her first novel. She is also a founder and moderator of Nebraska Novelist critique group and lives in Nebraska with her husband.
To celebrate her debut novel, Catherine and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, have teamed up to give away a Spring For Susannah Prize Package worth over $150!

One grand prize winner will receive:

* A brand new Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Screen

* Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond (for KINDLE)

To enter just click one of the icons below and then tell your friends! But hurry, giveaway ends on June 27th. Winner will be announced on Tuesday, June 28th at 5 PM (6PM MST, 7PM CST, & 8PM EST) during Catherine's Spring for Susannah Book Club Party on Facebook! Catherine is rustling up some fun for the party - she'll be chatting about the story behind her novel, hosting a book club chat, testing your mail-order bride trivia skills, and giving away some GREAT prizes! Don't miss the fun and tell your friends!

If you'd like to read more reviews like mine, you can find the blog tour {here}!

I received Spring for Susannah as a complimentary gift in exchange for review from Litfuse Publicity Group.

A Reluctant Queen - a LitFuse Review

Let me first say that this book was an out-of-the-park Home Run!! A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther, written by Joan Wolf, totally blew my mind. This story completely captivated me, and I have to say that this is a must-read for any of you ladies out there who love Bible-based fiction. I do have to say, though, that much of this story is fictionalized, and the author says in the book that she's taken liberties with the story. It is based on the Biblical story obviously, so keep that in mind.

A Reluctant Queen is the story of Esther of the Bible, who eventually was made Queen of Persia to save her Jewish people from what her uncle Mordecai felt was certain devastation headed for the Jewish people.

Joan brings the story to life, describing Esther's feelings, Ahasuerus' personality, and giving vivid character to the role of Haman.

I highly recommend this book for those who like a fictionalized story. It's sensational! However, if you've never read Esther's story, please go read it in the Bible first.

This is absolutely...

Joan Wolf was born in New York City but has lived most of her adult life with her husband in Connecticut , where she raised two children and countless numbers of assorted animals. Joan is the author of numerous historical novels including The Road to Avalon which Publishers Weekly lauded as “historical fiction at its finest.”

For more about Joan and her other books, please visit www.joanwolf.com.

To celebrate Joan Wolf’s debut Christian Fiction title, A Reluctant Queen, Joan and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, have teamed up to give away A Reluctant Queen prize package worth over $150!

One grand prize winner will receive: * A brand new Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Screen * A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf (for KINDLE) To enter, just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, the contest ends on June 20th. Winner will be announced on June 21st during Joan’s A Reluctant Queen Book Club Party on Facebook (details below)! Hope to see you there – bring your friends!

Join the fun on June 21st! Joan will be wrapping up the blog tour and Kindle giveaway promotion during her A Reluctant Queen FACEBOOK party on her FB author page. During the party she'll announce the winner of the Kindle, host a book chat discussion, test your trivia skills (Is Esther's story in A Reluctant Queen fact or fiction?), and more. Don't miss this chance to meet the author and make some new friends!

If you're interested in reading more reviews like mine, click {here} to go to the blogtour!I received an advanced copy of A Reluctant Queen as a complimentary gift in exchange for review from Litfuse Publicity Group.

Springtime of the Spirit - a Tyndale Review

Springtime of the Spirit, by Maureen Lang is a story that takes place in Germany just after the first world war. A fight between the existing party and the socialists ensues, and when Communism threatens, things rapidly get worse. Christophe Brecht, a German soldier who has gone to Munich to search for family friend Annaliese Duray, quickly finds himself thrust into a situation he doesn't really care for. Annaliese is involved with the socialist party, who is insistent upon creating a socialist Germany. Christophe finds himself thrown into the mix as he attempts to convince Annaliese to come home to her capitalist family.

When voting time comes and the socialist party loses, it's been decided that a joining up with the Communist party would be of benefit. This becomes explosive, and Annaliese and Christophe find themselves in danger, and desperately look for an avenue to get out of Munich. But when they're "stuck" with a wounded party leader, their way out looks impossible.

I LOVED this book, and I'm anxious to read more by Maureen Lang!

This is....

I am a member of Tyndale Blog Network, a fabulous website that sends free books to read and keep if you write a review for your blog and for a major retailer (such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble). Tyndale Blog Network is through Tyndale House Publishers.

Mission of Mercy Series - a Litfuse Review

I was given the opportunity to read the Mission of Mercy Series (January 2011, March 2011, and May 2011 Love Inspired Suspense novels) for review. The books were easily read, and Susan May Warren is the author of all of these books.

Point of No Return is a story about Chet Stryker, head of Stryker International security team and Mae Lund, experienced flyer. When Mae's nephew Josh goes on a mission trip and then turns up missing at the same time as a young lady ends up missing. Chet is asked by the CIA to find the young lady and Josh, and Mae Lund ends up finding him in Georgia. Mae and Chet, no strangers, reluctantly band together to find the two missing young people. A brush with terrorists and Chet's own "shoot-to-kill" status in the country of Georgia (due to his previous experience in Georgia causing him to be an unpopular guy there) makes their situation a little complicated. Or should I say, VERY complicated!

I highly recommend this book if you like suspense.

Mission: Out of Control is the second story that I read in this series. Brody "Wick" Wickham is an ex-Green Beret now on the payroll of Stryker International security team. He has been assigned the job of protecting a Senator's daughter. Veronica "Vonya" Wagner, American rock star, becomes a thorn in Wick's side as he discovers that she is very stubborn and independent and wants to forge her own life. After she finally realizes that her life is in danger, though, she's forced to allow Wick to keep her safe from harm. What neither of them wants to happen though is for there to be feelings to be developed. But they find that that's the one thing Wick can't protect them from!
This is another suspense novel that I think would be a great read for those of you who like that and a little romance thrown in, too.
Undercover Pursuit, the third and final book that I read in this series, involves another individual from the Stryker International security team. Luke Dekker has been assigned to protect the fiancee of a druglord's nephew. He's also been assigned to work with another individual--a woman named Stacey who will act as the bride's maid of honor and also help keep the bride safe. When Luke comes in contact with Scarlett Hanson, he believes that she's Stacey, the agent he's supposed to work with.
Scarlett Hanson is due to help her sister with her wedding. When Scarlett's flight lands, she finds Luke in her marked taxi, believing him to be the date her sister has fixed her up with for the wedding. What she doesn't realize is that Luke thinks she's an agent to help protect another woman's wedding--not her sister's wedding!
I thoroughly enjoyed all three of these books, and I highly recommend them for individuals who like suspense with a little clean romance mixed in.

If you're interested in reading more reviews on these books, go here


Susan May Warren is thrilled to announce the release of her 3 book Missions of Mercy series!

Three heroes, all on missions of mercy, who discover that God not only saves us from evil, but from the darkness inside.

Point of No Return: Can God deliver us from our mistakes? This question is posed to Chet and Mae as they race to save Mae’s nephew from an evil warlord in the Republic of Georgia. More here.

Mission: Out of Control: Does God turn his back on us when we fail? Brody and Vonya discover the answer as they conspire to capture an international smuggler and free a child soldier from war. More here.

Undercover Pursuit: What if we deliberately sin and harbor bitterness in our hearts? Is there a rescue from the dark places inside? Luke and Scarlett find out as they work to protect a bride-turned-informant whose courage could dismantle a human trafficking web. More here.

To celebrate the series, Susan is giving away a Missions of Mercy Prize Pack worth over $200! One grand prize winner will receive:

* A brand new FLIP HD Camera
* The entire Missions of Mercy series

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. You may enter once per email, facebook, and twitter. The contest ends on May 31st. Tell your friends! Winner will be announced on June 1st at the Litfuse Publicity site and at Susan May Warren's website. (While you're there, check out her rockin' new website!)

I received the Mission of Mercy series as a complimentary gift in exchange for review from Litfuse Publicity Group.

Dragons of the Valley - a Multnomah Review

Dragons of the Valley, by Donita K. Paul, was an enjoyable read. I had trouble visualizing the characters at first: several different races at different sizes and names and descriptions. . . . It took a couple of chapters before I was able to realize who was whom. (It doesn't help that I hadn't read the first book in the series before I read this one.)

The story takes place in a fictional land named Chiril. The peace in the land comes to a brutal halt when an enemy invades the land. The land's most prized possessions are three statues, and when it is decided that the statues must be hidden, a remarkable journey to the Valley of the Dragons becomes a struggle.

The people of Chiril embark not only on a journey to remain safe, but they also find that on this journey their creator, whom they have little knowledge of, Wulder becomes more real to them. In their struggle to regain peace, they also learn what it means to trust and desire a relationship with Wulder, their creator.

This has been a captivating novel, and I hope to read the first of the series soon!

I received Dragons of the Valley as a complimentary gift in exchange for review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers. My comments and opinions are my own.

How Huge the Night - a Litfuse Review

How Huge the Night, a teen book written by Heather and Lydia Munn, convincingly captures what it was like for young adolescents in Nazi-controlled France. This story captivated me, and it was hard for me to put it down. The characters were well portrayed, and the events that occurred in the story felt "real".

The mainly encompasses the stories of two families, though other characters' situations are also brought in. Julien Losier, a fifteen-year-old French boy, and his family find themselves responsible for a young Jewish teen who seemed quite difficult to interact with. Julien struggles with wanting to fit in at school, but with a Jew living in his home, Julien finds that he's ostracized and fights to make his place at school. His struggle to fit in becomes his undoing as he realizes that self isn't as important as the protection and safety of others.

In Austria, fifteen-year-old Nina and her brother Gustav watch their father pass away, and then it is up to them to escape into France to what they believe will be safety. What they're unprepared for is the immense struggles they will have to endure on this journey from Austria to France. From hunger to near death, Nina and Gustav struggle to hold on to what they hold dear.

I received How Huge the Night as a complimentary gift in exchange for review from Litfuse Publicity Group.

Kregel Publications is sponsoring an $50 Amazon.com giveaway open to my blog readers.

About the Giveaway!

To enter all you have to do is send a tweet (using #litfuse) about How Huge the Night or share about it on Facebook!

If you tweet we'll capture your entry when you use the hashtag (#litfuse). If you share it on Facebook or your blog, just email us and let us know (info@litfusegroup.com). Easy. (All Litfuse bloggers who post a review are automatically entered and do NOT need to email us.)

Not sure what to tweet/post? Here's an idea.

TWEET THIS: How Huge the Night - compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens and adults alike turning the pages! #litfuse http://ow.ly/4RBXc

FACEBOOK THIS: How Huge the Night by Heather & Lydia Munn is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens and adults alike turning the pages late into the night! http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13181161

About the Munn's:

Heather Munn was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in southern France where her parents were missionaries like their parents before them. She has a BA in literature from Wheaton College and now lives in a Christian intentional community in rural Illinois , where she and her husband, Paul, host free spiritual retreats for the poor, especially those transitioning out of homelessness or addiction. When not writing or hosting, she works on the communal farm.

Lydia Munn, daughter of missionary parents, grew up in Brazil . She received a BA in literature from Wheaton College , and an MA in Bible from Columbia Graduate School of Bible and Missions. With her husband, Jim, she has worked in church planting and Bible teaching since 1983, notably in St. Etienne, near the small town in the central mountains of France which forms the background of How Huge the Night. The Munns now live in Grenoble, France.