RocknLearn Science DVDs

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.




I received Rock n Learn Science DVDS in exchange for honest review. The DVDS are available in life science (first link), earth science, human body, and physical science. My kids have focused on the life science so far since it is what both was learning in school last.

 The life science DVD focuses on photosynthesis; parts of a plant; animal groups; the butterfly life cycle; , plants and animal cells; food chains and food webs; and genetic traits. The DVD is recommended for grades 3-8.

The videos are available in DVD format and Amazon video format for rent or buying.

Dr. Cool Ultimate Volcano Kit (Tomoson)

I received the Ultimate Volcano Kit, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. The volcano kit was created by Dr. Cool.

The volcano kit comes with an activity guide, the instructions, and materials to make the volcano. (the mold, the eruption powder, and plaster).

The plaster is enough to make 2 Volcanos. I learned the lesson the hard way. I poured the whole bag into my container and started pouring the mixture into the mold. I realized I had enough to make another one, but the plaster was already setting and I was able to make half a volcano with the mixture not set yet.

Once you make the mold, you let it set in the mold for about 2 hours, then move the mold. Then, you put the volcano in a safe spot to set up for 24 to 48 hours. Next, you paint the volcano and let dry. Finally, you pour the eruption powder into the chamber (created with the mold) and add water. You can also had citric acid to increase the lava.

When making the mold, choose a container, which you want to throw away. Also cover your survace in plenty of newspaper or cardboard. Also mix the plaster quick before it sets to be able to pour it into the mold.

I had issues getting the volcano to erupt. I added a little eruption powder and water and nothing happened.

I will upload the rest of my pics tomorrow. I have to upload them off the camcorder.

Discover with Dr. Cool Purple Amethyst Crystal Growing Kit Product Review (Tomoson)

I received Discover with Dr. Cool's Purple Amethyst Crystal Growing Kit, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. (Scroll down in the Science Fair Section).

I wanted to review the product because I thought it was cool, plus I know a few homeschooling parents, who can benefit from the products. I also love how the products are reasonably priced.

#productreview #tomoson #perfectchaos #crystals #futureproductreview #discoverwithdrcool

A photo posted by Stacie D Wyatt (@sdwyatt1980) on Oct 10, 2014 at 9:13am PDT

The kit comes with a seed rock, crystal growing powder, an amethyst, stir stick, diorama, and instructions. There is also an activity book with puzzles, games, and mazes.

I been growing my crystals for two weeks.

The picture shows the progress. The glass started off with no crystallization, but within 4 days, the crystals started forming at the top.

STEPS

The first step is to mix the crystal growing powder with warm water using the stirring stick until the crystals dissolve. Then, you add your seed rock. Next, you place your jar in a place, where it will not be bothered. 

#discoverwithdrcool #productreview #perfectchaos #tomoson

A photo posted by Stacie D Wyatt (@sdwyatt1980) on Nov 11, 2014 at 9:45pm PST

#discoverwithdrcool #productreview #tomoson #perfectchaos crystals at bottom

A photo posted by Stacie D Wyatt (@sdwyatt1980) on Nov 11, 2014 at 9:46pm PST

VIDEO REVIEW

You can purchase the crystal growing set on Dr. Cool's website. The website also offers a white quartz crystal growing kit and a red Aragonite kit.


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Space Scouts Subscription Box Sponsored Post (US Family Guide)

This post was sponsored by US Family Guide Bloggers Program. I will receive 2 free months of Space Scouts for Participation. No other compensation was provided.

What is Space Scouts?

Space Scouts is a monthly subscription box for kids, ages 6 and up, which teaches them about space and other wonders of the universe. Each month, your child will explore space exploration, science, and astronomy. Join Roxy and Jett as they provide your child learning activities, hands-on fun, and new challenges. Packages can include magnets, stickers, toys, and more. 

The subscription is 11.95 per month plus 3.00 shipping. Discounts are available for multi-month purchases. Use code USFAMILY20 at checkout to receive 20% off initial purchase.

Rachel and the TreeSchoolers Kickstarter Campaign (Mom it Forward)

Support Rachel and the Tree Schoolers Kickstarter Campaign. The campaign provides educational programing for preschool students, such as my youngest, who started school in early May. Children can learn about science, their bodies, plants, and flowers with Rachel and the TreeSchoolers. The campaign is trying to raise $200, 000 by the end of today. Please support great educational programming. Check out a few episodes below.

PowerMyLearning Review (Sverve)

I reviewed PowerMyLearning, in exchange for honest review from Sverve. This is a sponsored post. I wanted to work with PowerMyLearning because my oldest child learns better via the computer and visual aides. Even though Brad is home-schooled, he still needs additional help learning. I have to find different methods to help him learn new things. I also signed Kalen up for an account. Kalen is starting to show an interest in the computer, other than trying to break the keyboard, mouse, and the printer. I bought him a little laptop, to teach him 6 things: A, B, C, 1, 2, and 3. Kalen starts school next year. He will be in Head Start and a Pre-school for kids with intellectual disabilities.

PowerMyLearning is an educational website for educators, parents, and children. The website provides games and activities for children. The parents can monitor the children's progress through the parent account.

You do have to create a separate account for each child, as well as the parent. The children's account needs to be created first. Then, create the parent and add each child's user name. The website then sends a request to the child to connect parent to child.

Also, the kids accounts don't require an e-mail to sign up. They will need their username, password, city, state, and birthday, in addition to school name.

I did it backwards. I created my account first, thinking I can add my children through the parent account, similar to a few other websites. Then, to add your child, it asks for a user name. Can't have a user name if your child does not have account. So, I went to create Brad and Kalen an account. Logged back into mine and added his user name. The website then said it will send a request to Brad to add me as his parent (which is a good thing and a bad thing. What if the child does not want you to track his progress? I definitely recommend the parents setting up all the accounts. ). The process will take a minute for parents with multiple kids.

Then, you log into each child's account, click on their name towards the top, and go to account. There are two options. Link the accounts or select, not my parent. (Another reason, I recommend the parents set up the account).

The website has over 2000 activities in subjects, which include:

1. Math
2. Science
3. Language Arts
4. Art and Music
5. World Languages
6. Social Studies
7. Your Life
8. Technology

I played with the games at first to see how easy or hard they are? Do the games require a lot of clicking? Do the games require a lot of comprehension? You can select games based on subject or grade level. I started at Kindergarten because both kids need to learn the basics. Kalen starts pre-k next year and Brad is in the 6th grade, but still needs the lower grade basics, such as counting, learning numbers, and ABCs. For Brad, I may mix it up a bit, letting him work on activities ranging from K to 6th to see what he can and can't do. For Kalen, I am going to help him prepare for school next year. Kalen will be attending two schools: head start and the school for developmental disabilities.

One game I liked, is Energy City, created by the Jason Project. The game is more for advanced learners. It is a partial city builder game and part strategy. You complete missions, while also keeping the city from running out of money and energy. It teaches kids how to conserve energy.

Why is the Sky Blue? Book Review, Blog Tour. Reading Addiction Blog Tours.

I reviewed Why is the Sky Blue by Shabana Muhajir, in exchange for review from Reading Addiction Blog Tours.

My Review:
The story is about two little boys and their mother, who visit the beach. One brings his art supplies and the other brings his toys. It's an nice day at the beach. After some observation, the boys ask their mother, why is the sky blue? The book then moves into an explanation of why the sky is blue. So, the book is now part children's and part educational (science). The mother explains the colors of the rainbow and the order of colors in the rainbow. The book also explains wavelengths (Brings me back to high school) and briefly touches the speed of light. The book also has a speech bubble about the earth's atmosphere. Finally, the book ended with an experiment with rainbows. There is also a glossary at the end of the book.

I loved reading the book. It was a quick read. I chose the book to read to the kids. Love any children's book, which is interesting, but not too long to lose attention. The book touches different aspects of science. great to incorporate into a homeschool curriculum. Loved reading the book.
About the Author: Copied from RABT

Shabana, a Canadian, spent her early years in various countries and now lives with her husband, two sons in Singapore. She has a Master’s degree in Education from Newfoundland and a Master’s in Business Administration from Windsor, Canada. She worked for a telecommunication company in Canada and Singapore for thirteen years as a marketing and business development professional. She’s currently working as a Director at a consulting firm, and serving as the Vice President/room parent co-ordinator of the PTA at her sons’ school. She loves to read both fiction and non-fiction books. Her kids are also avid readers and love performing experiments and finding out how things work. She conducts weekly experiments with them based on their interest and level of understanding. It was her boys’ curiosity and endless questions that led her to write her first book, Why is the Sky Blue?  She plans to write a series of non-fiction books on thought-provoking and interesting topics for children.

Facebook page is www.shabanamuhajirauthor
twitter page is @shabanamuhajir
webpage is www.shabanamuhajir.com

Links to Buy
www.amazon.com/author/shabanamuhajir
Book is now listed on www.bookdepository.com with free shipping worldwide.

There were Dinosaurs everywhere

I read There were Dinosaurs Everywhere, In exchange for review from Netgalley. The book was written by Howard Temperley and illustrated by Michael Kline. The book was published by KWS Publishers.

The book discusses the history of dinosaurs. The book also rhymes, which makes for easy learning.The illustrations are amazing. Each rhyme is filled with educational facts and a little bit of humor. Each illustration also is colorful and shows a little humor. Each illustration also gives the dinosaurs character.

The book was a quick read, interesting, and taught me more about dinosaurs--from naming them to evolving from amphibians--to eating habits.

Candy Experiments

I read Candy Experiements, in exchange for review from netgalley.com. The book was written by Loralee Leavitt and published by Andrews McMeel Publishing.

The book was colorful. The graphics was amazing. The book showed children (and adults) how to use candy in experiments. Everything from sinking a marshmallow to removing the M off an M&M. The book talked about properties such as sinking, density, and floating. The book also discussed things like oil separating from water, in certain candy or peeling the waxy coating off a candy corn or tootsie roll. Maybe your kids want to paint with M&Ms. The book is wonderful and I recommend it.

The Silly Looking Thing by Eva M. Sakmar-Sullivan

I reviewed The Silly Looking Thing by Eva M. Sakmar-Sullivan, in exchange for review from Netgalley.com The book was published by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.

I enjoyed reading The Silly Looking Thing (SLT). The froggie wants friends, but wants his friends to look a certain way. He wants his friends to look like him He does not want to play with the SLT because he looks different.

The book was a quick read (40 pages on Reader for PC). The book has lots of pictures. I read the book to my youngest. I choose the book because I have two special need kids. Not everyone wants to play with them, especially Brad. Brad is different. He doesn't look like or act like them. The SLT in the book wanted a friend, a playmate, someone to swim with. He did not want to be lonely or be an outcast. The book does have a happy ending though.