Product Reviews

Fix It! Grammar Overview-Video Post

    Hey Guys!  I thought you might like to see the newest homeschool curriculum we are using.  It’s Fix It! Grammar by IEW.  Fix it! Grammar is an incredibly easy program that can be done in just 15 minutes a day.  The program is incredibly simple for both parents and students.  It only requires the teachers manual, student manual, a dictionary and a notebook or journal.  If you don’t have a dictionary available you can download one for free from Merriam-Webster for either Apple or Android HERE.   One of the things I like most about this program is that it incorporates vocabulary, writing skills and grammar into a simple 15 minute a day program. I also use it to build on penmanship.  So it’s a great multi-tasking curriculum. I have been extremely impressed by the simplicity of this program as well as its effectiveness.  We have had no trouble using it.  The program is good for multiple students of several different age ranges.  You only need one teachers manual, but you will need multiple student manuals.  You could also make copies of the student manual.  However, the program is reasonably priced.  So, purchasing additional manuals would be much easier and less time consuming. Here are some samples from the books. Parent’s Note This series is based on (for the most part) old fairytales and contain elements of magic.  I realize that some parents (including myself) take issue with some types of thematic elements in books and writing, so I wanted to make you aware of this.  I personally use these as a teaching element unto itself.  However, if this is not something you would want your children reading you will want to select a different curriculum. Fix It! Levels Fix It! Grammar has 6 levels.  The first level is The Nose Tree. Level 1 Nose Tree presumes no prior grammar knowledge and introduces basic parts of speech, end-mark punctuation, phrases, clauses, homophones, and more.  Level 1 is rated for grades 3-5.  The cost for the combo teacher/student editions is $29.  Each additional student is $19. Try Before You Buy You can try up to 4 weeks of this program free by going to this link HERE: If you like this video, be sure to check out these others: Unboxing All About Spelling Level 4 Unboxing Talkbox.mom Language Subscription Kits Using Spice Subscription Kits For Homeschool (Unboxing)

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Kiwico Eureka Crates Subscription Kits Overview

    Hey guys!  I thought it would be great to show you an overview of KiwiCo Eureka Crates.  We have been using the KiwiCo Subscription Kits for a long time and have a great selection of their products.  This overview will give you a large look at not only the KiwiCo Eureka Crates boxes, but also give you an idea of their entire line.  You will get to see how well made they are as well as the quality and craftsmanship involved. The KiwiCo Eureka Crates line is rated for ages 12+, but I have found younger kids can do it with assistance.  These kits start at $26.95.  However a lot of their other lines start at $18.50 and begin at ages 0+.  Also, they give great discounts on multi-month subscriptions.  The longer the subscription, the more you save.   I am such a huge fan of KiwiCo as a company.  Not only are their products great, their customer support is even better.  They make fabulous gifts for kids.  So check out this video to see a vast array of their products.  Make sure to share with me your own KiwiCo Experience.  I’d love to hear how you like some of their other lines. If you like this video be sure to check out these others: Unboxing All About Spelling Unboxing Talkbox.mom Language Subscription Kits Unboxing Barnabas Robotics Part 1

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Unboxing Talkbox.mom Language Subscription Kits

      So today we are going to be unboxing Talkbox language subscription in Spanish.  I’m going to go through everything that is in the kit as well as discuss the App that goes with it.  These boxes are different than most language curriculums because it is designed to get the whole family involve in learning a language together.  The boxes are meant to be used in conjunction with the App. The Talkbox is currently available in 11 languages including: Spanish French German Portuguese Chinese Hebrew Japanese Korean Russian Romanian Each language currently has a total of 9 different boxes and a phrase book.  After you watch the Unboxing Talkbox video be sure to check out the actual kits by going to the Talkbox.mom website HERE. Be sure to use coupon code: selfmademodern20 for $20 off the first box+phrasebook or selfmademodern5 for $5 off the the phrasebook Once we have spent sometime using the program as a family, I will write a full review.  If you enjoyed this unboxing post be sure to check out these others: Unboxing All About Spelling Level 4 Unboxing Barnabas Robotics Simple Robot Kit If you have any questions about the kits, be sure to post them in the comments section below.

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Unboxing All About Spelling Level 4

  Today we are Unboxing All About Spelling Level 4 Program.  All of the levels are set up very similarly.  This will give you an idea of what comes in each of them.  I did forget to include a small set of mini pieces in this kit.  They will come in the package when you order.  If you want to see my full review of the All About Spelling Program you can click HERE. You will need to purchase the basic spelling interactive kit with any of the levels.  This one-time purchase is used with all seven levels.  It includes Letter Tiles, Magnets, and Divider Cards.  The divider cards help you store all the flashcards properly.  If you don’t order this, you will need to come up with your own divider system.  You will also need to purchase the Letter Tile App as you won’t have any Letter Tiles.  You can read more about the Letter Tile App in my full review.  The only thing not included in the kits is a magnetic white board which you will need. If you enjoyed Unboxing All About Spelling make sure to check out their website Here.  They have a lot of free homeschool resources on their website for you to use.  It also has their entire program as well as the All About Reading Program.  The programs can be used individually or together.  Each of the spelling levels runs approximately $44.95 plus shipping. If you enjoyed this unboxing, be sure to check out my other ones below. Unboxing Talkbox.mom Language Subscription Kit Unboxing Barnabas Robotics Simple Robot Kit Please feel free to let us know if you have tried the program.  If you have any questions or I forgot something, don’t hesitate to let me know in the comments box below.  

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Barnabas Robotics Mini Tinker Kit

Unboxing Barnabas Robotics Part 2: Mini Tinker Kit 2.0

  It time!  Today we have another Unboxing for Barnabas Robotics. This time we will be opening the Mini Tinker Kit 2.0  This kit has four projects in one.  It includes an Animal Bot, Wheel of Fortune, Doorbell, and Scribble Bot.  The mission of Barnabas Robotics is to empower kids as young as 5 to learn robotics and coding.  Check it out!     This is a three part unboxing.  The three kits we are going to unbox are: The Mini Tinker Kit The Barnabas Bot The Simple Robot Kit x2   The Mini Tinker Kit is for ages 6-10.  It retails for $22.95.  All Barnabas Robotics kits come with free shipping after $35.  These kits would make for excellent creativity days.  You could as use them in your unschooling curriculum.  Check out our other Unboxing for the Simple Robot Kit HERE. If you have built one of these and want to share what you think let us know in the comments below.  After these kits are unboxed and built we will do a follow up review on them in another post.  Stay tuned!

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Barnabas Robotics Simple Robot Kit

Unboxing Barnabas Robotics Part 1: Simple Robot Kit

  I am so excited for this!  Today we are going to do an Unboxing of Barnabas Robotics. The mission of Barnabas Robotics is to empower kids as young as 5 to learn robotics and coding.  All the Barnabas Robotics kits are built from simple materials and allows kids to take anything they can find at home to create their own robots.  This leads to creative thinkers and dreamers.  This Simple Robot Kit allows you to build an Arcade Bot, Mini Golf, and Mice Maze.   This is a three part unboxing.  The three kits we are going to unbox are: The Mini Tinker Kit The Barnabas Bot The Simple Robot Kit x2   The Simple Robot Kit is for ages 6-10.  It retails for $23.95.  All Barnabas Robotics have free shipping after $35.  These kits would make for excellent creativity days.  You could as use them in your unschooling curriculum.  Read more about creativity days in my post HERE.  Read more about unschooling HERE. If you have built one of these and want to share what you think let us know in the comments below.  After these kits are unboxed and built we will do a follow up review on them in another post.  Stay tuned!

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