The Review

Let me start by telling you that we currently use Compass Classroom's Visual Latin.  And also, we love it.  We also love Dwayne Thomas (the teacher in the series and the teacher in this new product, Word Up! The Vocab Show) because the lessons are not dry, but interesting and humorous at times.

Now let's talk about Word Up! The Vocab Show.

I received this product in exchange for doing a review.  I want to say that despite the fact we are current users of Visual Latin and despite the fact that we do like Dwayne Thomas in how he presents the lessons in Visual Latin, I am providing an honest and balanced review of this product from my perspective (homeschooling mother/teacher) and from my son's perspective who helped me test it out (a 12-year-old homeschooling boy).

My son loves it!  He's interested in continuing to use it!  He's also a boy of few words and his review was basically: "It's cool!"  When I pressed him for more information about the videos, he said: "It's fun!"  So, there ya go - a 12-year-old boy's review of the video lessons.

I, however, have more to say (as a homeschooling Mom and adult).

The videos lessons hold the student's attention well due to being visually stimulating and entertaining.  Learning with humor?  Yes!  The lessons are short in length (12-15 min each) which is great! 

Each lesson covers two roots with several vocabulary words for each root.  The video lessons come with online flashcards, games, quizzes, spelling practice, and more to review and test comprehension.  I found that these complimented the video lessons nicely!  The flashcards are a great way to review after watching the lesson.  The first flashcard clearly states to "click to flip" and then after you move to the next flashcard, it doesn't state that.  It took us a minute to figure out that all the cards flip the same way by clicking the card even though it stopped saying it.  (Derp!)

Besides the flashcards online, there is a practice quiz that gives the student the definition and the student must fill in the word.  It's a great way to test knowledge/retention - and it gives immediate feedback to let the student know if they got it wrong or right. 

Another features is the spelling practice.  The computer states the word, and the student types the word into the space provided.  Again, it gives immediate feedback to let the student know they got it wrong or right...and if they got it wrong, it corrects it on the screen and spells out the correct word audibly. 

Each lesson has an online test and you have the option of setting up the test with the types of questions you prefer (such as written, matching, multiple choice, or true/false). 

There are two games for each lesson: a scatter game which has the student match up the words with the definition (while a stopwatch-like clock is counting up).  The goal is to beat your time each time you do it and get faster and faster.  HOWEVER, if you have a kid like mine who freaks out about stuff that is set up as a "race against a clock" this won't be a favorite activity.  You can't turn the timer off, either.  But you can tell your student to not stress out about the timer (like I did) and just let them focus on the activity.

The other game is a "race game" which really will only work for those students who can type well (have learned keyboarding/typing) so they can type out the word before it reaches the other side of the screen.  My son was unable to do that game since we have only just begun typing lessons with any seriousness. 

So, let me sum up by saying this: this is a great new product with additional series that are expected to follow.  It is set up with video lessons (by DVD or video download, your choice) and online activities which will make this great for independent learners. Oh, and here's the BEST part: it's only $9.99!  You can even download two lessons free to sample the program.  By sampling it, you can see if you like Dwayne's presentation of the material and if you think it would be a

Activity Days for Homeschool Groups and Families

ARE YOU starting up a homeschool co-op or homeschool group?

Activity Days for Homeschool Groups and Families offers relief for busy co-op leaders and moms! Less than half price for dozens of pre-planned, hands-on activities. Patterns, supply lists, safety tips -- everything you need to organize all kinds of fun, learning-filled events. Detailed instructions for dissection, pioneer crafts, community helpers, track & field day, art techniques, math games, achievement day, and much, much more.

What is included?  168 pages, hole-punched for your binder

Why buy?  Enough ideas for 3 years of monthly activity days, PLUS ideas for year-long classes and projects.  The organizing is done for you--no need to reinvent the wheel!

A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L'Engle's Time Quintet Book 1) [Kindle Edition] Madeleine L'Engle

Age Level: 10 - 14 | Grade Level: 4 - 8

A tesseract (in case the reader doesn't know) is a wrinkle in time. To tell more would rob the reader of the enjoyment of Miss L'Engle's unusual book. A Wrinkle in Time, winner of the Newbery Medal in 1963, is the story of the adventures in space and time of Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin O'Keefe (athlete, student, and one of the most popular boys in high school). They are in search of Meg's father, a scientist who disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government on the tesseract problem. A Wrinkle in Time is the winner of the 1963 Newbery Medal.

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1984 [Kindle Edition] by George Orwell

In 1984, London is a grim city where Big Brother is always watching you and the Thought Police can practically read your mind. Winston is a man in grave danger for the simple reason that his memory still functions. Drawn into a forbidden love affair, Winston finds the courage to join a secret revolutionary organization called The Brotherhood, dedicated to the destruction of the Party. Together with his beloved Julia, he hazards his life in a deadly match against the powers that be.

FREE Teacher's Guide/Literature Guide

FREE Literature Guide

Animal Farm [Kindle Edition] George Orwell

George Orwell's classic satire of the Russian Revolution is an intimate part of our contemporary culture. It is the account of the bold struggle, initiated by the animals, that transforms Mr. Jones's Manor Farm into Animal Farm--a wholly democratic society built on the credo that All Animals Are Created Equal. Out of their cleverness, the pigs Napoleon, Squealer, and Snowball emerge as leaders of the new community in a subtle evolution that proves disastrous. The climax is the brutal betrayal of the faithful horse Boxer, when totalitarian rule is reestablished with the bloodstained postscript to the founding slogan: But some Animals Are More Equal Than Others. . . . 

FREE Teacher's Guide/Literature Guide

FREE Teacher's Guide/Literature Guide

The Grapes of Wrath [Kindle Edition] John Steinbeck

Age Level: 18 and up | Grade Level: 12 and up

The Pulitzer Prize-winning epic of the Great Depression chronicles the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930s and tells the story of one Oklahoma farm family, the Joads-driven from their homestead and forced to travel west to the promised land of California. Out of their trials and their repeated collisions against the hard realities of an America divided into Haves and Have-Nots evolves a drama that is intensely human yet majestic in its scale and moral vision, elemental yet plainspoken, tragic but ultimately stirring in its human dignity.

FREE Teacher's Guide/Literature Guide

Literature Guide ($$)

The Call of the Wild

Buck is a domesticated dog living with his loving family on a ranch in California when he is stolen away and sold off into the brutish life of an Alaskan sled dog. In order to survive, Buck must withstand cruel treatment from his human masters, and fight to gain respect and dominance within his new pack. No longer able to rely on his family, Buck must adjust to this new life and answer the call of the wild.

The Call of the Wild is a story of Northern adventure and is author Jack London’s most famous book. Over a century after its original publication, it continues to be taught in schools.

FREE Teacher's Guide/Literature Guide

FREE Literature Guide

Brave New World [Kindle Edition] Aldous Huxley

Aldous Huxley's tour de force, Brave New World is a darkly satiric vision of a "utopian" future—where humans are genetically bred and pharmaceutically anesthetized to passively serve a ruling order. A powerful work of speculative fiction that has enthralled and terrified readers for generations, it remains remarkably relevant to this day as both a warning to be heeded as we head into tomorrow and as thought-provoking, satisfying entertainment.

Literature Guide ($$)

FREE!  Five Great Audio Adventures

New Audio Drama Designed To Engage Your Child's Mind and Ignite Their Imaginations

• Teaches Self Reliance and Hard Work
• Emphasizes Promise-Keeping
• Encourages Love Of American History
• Develops Disciplined Thinking
• Family-Friendly, Wholesome Listening
• Perfect Road Trip Boredom Buster

Plus: "Movies For The Mind" Technology Nurtures Advanced Problem Solving Skills

Set during the 1940's, this series takes you through one adventure after another: from the perilous journey of the Oregon Trail to the outer limits of our Milky Way galaxy, our lovable characters invite you to learn lasting lessons with them as they learn what it means to be good citizens and men and women after God's own heart.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy this trip down memory lane as Heirloom Audio proudly presents Good Days Remembered.

Five Great Audio Adventures:

The Only Thing We Have To Fear

On December 7, 1941, Bobby and Dorothy learn what it means to trust the Lord amidst the storms of life.

In God We Trust

Grandpa Eli relives his experience of the Great Depression.

Future Fantastic

Take a step into the future and experience the adventures of Jack Starr and his family during a time of planetary unrest.

The Piano

Westward ho! Grandma Cora recounts her memories of traveling the Oregon Trail.

Oil for a Model T

Using his classic car and a dusty attic, Grandpa teaches Bobby a valuable lesson.

The School Days Kit

Ready to start the school year off on the right foot?


The School Days Kit has the tools essential to getting your kids out the door and off to a successful start, complete with simple communication tools for parents and children.

What is included?

7 Documents:

Good Morning - Good Night Chart - start and end the day on a good note with three reminders per day and night

Weekly Schedule - hourly increments to keep everything on track (Monday - Friday 6am - 10pm)

School Day Schedule - perfect for scheduling doctor's appointments - know when your child is in what class or activity while they are at school (Monday - Friday 6am - 4pm)

Important School Phone Numbers + Contacts - quick reference sheet with all the necessary information to place a phone call or send an email to a teacher, coach, committee member

Important Classmate/Parent Phone Numbers + Contacts - quick reference sheet with all the necessary information to make a quick phone call or email to a parent or classmate

Conversation Tracker - write down any school related conversations in one place

This Month-Next Month List - 2 column to do style checklist to keep track of assignments, events, and any other school-related events 

All printables are in PDF file format - to be printed on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper. This is a digital file - once the order is finalized, you can print your pdf files as many times as you want for your personal use.

Teacher's Planning Kit

Sick of boring teacher planners? The Teacher's Planning Kit can be used year after year so you'll never need another planner!

Want to save paper? Print it once on cardstock and laminate - use a fine point sharpie or dry erase marker and wipe clean as necessary!

What is included?


12 Documents: 

DAILY PLANNER - includes space for opening and closing activities, agenda, competencies, and supplies needed

THEMES PLANNING PAGE – plan major themes for the school year (August-July)

PERPETUAL CALENDAR (2 versions) – aqua + navy/tangerine + celery

STUDENT CHECKLISTS (3 versions – attendance, fees, grades) - can be used for grading, checking for competencies.....space for 30 students

LESSON PLAN FOR THE WEEK - 2 pages - Monday - Friday - 10 spaces for each day

CLASSROOM CHECKOUT SHEET (never lose another classroom item!) - place for an item, student, date due and returned

LIBRARY CHECKOUT SHEET - this page can be used for each student or the whole class - place for the title, isbn#, date due, returned and a rating

THIS MONTH-NEXT MONTH CHECKLIST – keep a running list of to do’s for this month and next

The Exceptional Child Kit

Tired of trying to keep track of your exceptional child's goals and appointments? This kit is the perfect solution for keeping track of appointments, conversations with professionals, insurance companies, and school personnel. It's also meant to be a helpful tool to give empower you to assist your exceptional child achieve the absolute best possible outcomes at home and school.

THE EXCEPTIONAL CHILD KIT includes (11 documents) in an cheery and attractive navy, tangerine, avocado, and yellow color scheme:

GOALS (2 versions, one is blank) - keep track of short and long term goals as well as physical, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive goals.
ONLINE RESOURCES - keep track of sources and information that you find online with this handy document.
RESOURCES + CONTACT INFORMATION - keep track of in-person contacts, phone numbers, and addresses.
MEDICATION TRACKER – great tracker for writing down prescriptions, Monday-Sunday checkboxes, and a spot for notes to record any side effects or other information.
VITAMIN + SUPPLEMENT TRACKER – great tracker for writing down vitamins and other meds, Monday-Sunday checkboxes, and a spot for notes to record any side effects or other information.
APPOINTMENT TRACKER – trying to track appointments? This is the perfect solution for a quick overview of all appointments!
THERAPY TRACKER – trying to track therapy appointments, exercises, and progress? This is the perfect solution!
INSURANCE CONVERSATIONS - don’t let insurance get you down – keep track of insurance conversations and information on this handy sheet.
HEALTH PROFESSIONAL CONVERSATIONS - don’t let appointments get you down – keep track of conversations and information on this handy sheet.
SCHOOL CONVERSATIONS - keep track of all the conversations you have with your child's teachers and school personnel with this sheet.

All printables are in PDF file format - to be printed on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper. This is a digital file - once the order is finalized, you can print your pdf files as many times as you want for your personal use.