College Common Sense

Have you ever worried about how your kids are going to pay for college and the whole process of finding scholarships, grants and loans? The Going to College and Paying for it Online Video and Workbook from College Common Sense helps people with children of ALL ages navigate the system at an affordable price. The website is a valuable resource with lots of free information for anyone to use.

Denise Ames, financial counselor at a university in Texas, has developed  Going to College and Paying for it Online to help families through this process.  She asserts that it is never really too early to begin this process and recommends you begin this process early.  She has even heard of someone as young as 6 years old getting a scholarship!

Going to College and Paying for it Online Video and Workbook contains a printable pdf workbook with accompanying six videos.  All you need is the internet, a spiral notebook and a 3 ring binder. (I think it makes more sense to use loose leaf paper and just keep it all in one binder.)

I. Introduction (2 pages-no video)

In the introduction you are introduced to the 4 different groups the workbook is written for: parents and students of elementary students (A), middle school students (B), high school students (C) and college aged students (D).  Each activity throughout the workbook is marked with the letter(s) so you know if the activity applies to you or not.

Here, those in middle school and up would complete the activity

She believes it is important not to wait until the last minute but to spend time (years) preparing.  She recommends watching the DVD and reviewing the workbook yearly and working with your child once at least once a month until they are high school age when they should work on this once a week. 

I admit this seems a bit overkill.  I guess I am a procrastinator at heart so I just know I would never spend this much time and effort on this (especially for anyone younger than a junior in high school) when going to college may or may not be something my children want to do.  I only expect my children to go to college if it will prepare them for a specific job they are interested in. 

II. The Big Picture (9 pages)

In this section, you get an overview of what financial aid is, steps for going to college, the difference between tuition and the cost of attending and gives a rule of thumb for how much money is too much when it comes to loans.

There are 2 full pages of Campus Visit Tips and another page of 20 questions to ask before you apply to a college or university.  There is a also a list of 12 Ways NOT to Choose a College (ex. your boyfriend is going there or the college brochure showed all these fun students sitting under trees.  That one made me laugh because I've seen brochures like that and they are enticing! :)  )

Next, you will learn how to evaluate colleges in a non-biased atmosphere. She gives a website link and a pretty extensive list of things to search for.

III. How Financial Aid Works (5 pages)

In this section she tells you what the goal of the financial aid office is, how to get started with the FAFSA, the difference between school and student controlled aid and how the whole financial aid process works.  She includes a worksheet for recording your PIN that you get from the federal government for your FAFSA and a great worksheet for figuring out if you can afford a specific school.

IV. All About the Free Money (6 pages)

This section is all about scholarships; sources for them, types of scholarships and how to know if you should try for a scholarship. She gives ideas for how to find scholarships to apply for.  At this point, she begins to have students create an All About Me spiral notebook and start listing possible places to look for scholarships.

V. The System that Works (7 pages)

In this section, students begin to build a binder with the intention of finding one good scholarship a month to work on.  There is a step by step process for doing this and suggestions for other things to add to your binder such as reference letters and essays the student has written.  There is also essay writing information to help the student with that.

"Everyone benefits from a win-win situation.  They want to give money and you want to receive it. That is your goal."

VI. You in the Process (4 pages)

Much of this is for the senior in high school.  It is an overview with some suggestions and some "life" advice. The last page is for all levels giving lots of ideas to pursue and put down in the spiral notebook.

VII. Put it All Together (3 pages)

This is a final wrap-up with more life advice talking to the student about the future and choices. A portion of this is also written to the parents.

My opinion:

The workbook is good, but the videos are very low tech. I had a hard time paying attention to the videos. The camera is either on "slides" of text with a colored background or on Denise (and she is looking to the side rather than at the camera).  I've included two screen shots here to give you an idea:

Many of the slides do not use proper capitalization and punctuation.  I am not sure of the reason for this, but I was bothered by it. 

While I am not a fan of the video portion of this, a lot of the workbook has very valuable information with a nice step-by-step process for anyone looking for assistance in this area. Chapters 3-5 are my favorites and contain everything you need to know about financial aid.

The workbook is divided up on the website so you have to download the parts separately  I would prefer to have one file to download rather than 7 different ones to have to open and print individually. The pages in the workbook are not numbered so if they come out of the printer and fall out on the floor...well, let's just say it isn't fun putting them in order..  Also, the pdf lesson numbers are off by 1 from the video lesson numbers.

I would recommend this for anyone not familiar with financial aid and really wants to devote time to this for anyone with kids in junior high and up.  Personally, I just don't think it's necessary to start any earlier (but if you have young children and you're interested than go for it.) While I didn't enjoy the videos, going through the workbook has allowed me to re-familiarize myself with the financial aid process and learn a lot about how to obtain scholarships.  This is mostly directed to the student, but I chose to go through this mostly myself with my sophomore student sometimes watching as well.  I've watched all of the videos and read/highlighted the workbook so that I feel equipped to lead my children through this process when they are ready to begin.

Here is a short video introduction where you can see Denise and hear some of her story:



She has a few other videos on her channel including one on building a scholarship binder.

I do highly recommend checking out the College Common Sense website because it is packed with free information to get you started. I also recommend signing up for the free newsletter and/or to receive free weekly lesson plans. She offers so much free information to get you started. Her blog is another great place to find free information.

Purchase Going to College and Paying for it Online Video and Workbook for $25 for 12 months access.  You can also purchase a DVD and workbook for $50 plus $5 shipping.

You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter and Blogger

See what others are saying about College Common Sense's Going to College and Paying for it Online Video and Workbook  on The Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.

Greek and Latin Root cards

If you would like your children to learn Latin and Greek roots you will love Greek and Latin Root Cards from Lone Star Learning.  There are 60 cards total; 30 Latin Roots and 30 Greek Roots. They also come with an answer card with a list of all of the roots with their meanings.


These cards use pictures to help remind you of what each root means.   The cards are rather large at 5.5" x 8.5" and according to the website can be attached to your "word wall".  I don't have a word wall or anywhere to post anything like that, so smaller cards might be a bit more practical for me.  However, we LOVE these cards.

As you can see here each root is made into a picture.  For instance, the root ONYM means name and is pictured as a name tag and HYDR mean water and is pictured as a hose with water coming out of it.  Very ingenious. 

At first, I thought that we'd learn 2-3 roots a week and build from there.  However, Emma (10) wanted to go through the whole set every time. Amazingly, within a week she knew them all!  We even set them aside for a bit and when we came back to them she still knew every one! I am completely impressed. I thought that maybe she didn't really know the roots, but had memorized the pictures and made up a matching worksheet for her and she really does KNOW them.

The backs of the cards are blank.  I thought I might need to write the meanings on the backs of the cards, but we didn't have any trouble just using the reference card.

These cards are recommended for grades 3-8, but if your high school students need to learn roots this would be a very fast way for them to learn them. 

Here is a list of the roots that are included:

Greek Roots		Latin Roots
chrom chron cosm cycl deca derm drome geo graph helio hetero homo hydr hypn macr	mania metr micro onym phil photo poly proto scop sphere tele therm tom tox zo	amor aug cor cresc dent dict dorm filum flex here hum loqu medi migra mit	mort noc port prim ridi rog scrib simil spec stru tact temp tort uni vor

Greek and Latin Root Cards are available for $39.99. Despite the fact that I love these cards, I would never pay this much for them.  I would love to see them design a smaller set of cards (the size of a typical deck of cards) at a more reasonable price.

Visit Lone Star Learning to see all of the Get the Picture Vocabulary cards in a variety of subject areas as well as Digital Products and more!

See what others are saying about Lone Star Learning products on the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.

Math 911

Math 911 software was developed by Professor Martin Weissman who has over 50 years of teaching experience. Professor Weissman's Math911 is a downloadable math program which has full courses in Introductory Algebra and Intermediate Algebra with lessons in College Algebra, Trig, Pre-Calculus and Statistics. There is also an option for Algebra on a flashdrive as well.

All problems are algorithmically generated. 

10 minute learning curve. 

Step by Step solutions. 

Only Free-form answers. 

Dynamic Grade reports on all screens. 

Needs no internet connection. 

Can be networked. 

Free Home Use For Teachers 

Free Upgrades 

Free Install on New PCs Purchase

Math 911 is a free download. You don't need to use a credit card or enter a code or anything.  You just download it and get started. The entire Algebra I course is FREE.  If you want to use this for more than one student you will need to upgrade to the Premier version.  At that time, you will need to enter codes that you get from e-mailing Math911.  It's easy enough to do, it just takes a few minutes.  Once you have it installed, you click on the Math911 icon on your desktop to begin. 

Once logged on, the student can choose the section and level they want to work on.  This is a screen shot of what they will see:

screen shot of the main screen

Below is a close up of one part of the main Intermediate Algebra screen.  This shows the sections of the program that have been completed (green) and in progress (red).

The white spots in the first chapter do not indicate sections that are not completed.
The sections just do not exist.  I would prefer that they be in a different color or not be there at all so that when you finish the chapter it actually looks like it is finished.

This is the close up of the lesson part of the main screen.  This chapter is completed.
This chart matches the one above with white boxes that indicate sections that do not exist.  

Once the student clicks on a section, algorithmically generated problems will appear:  The problem or equation is on the top bar (under the header) but the directions are in the large white box on the bottom of the page.  This can be frustrating and depending on what you're working on can tend to slow you down a bit.  The answers go in the box in the center of the page.

If the student doesn't know the answer they can click to get a new problem or click the green "see all steps" button to see the answer in the second white box in the green section.

Once they see the solution, they can continue to click on the "see all steps" button and the steps will come up one at a time.

Topics are arranged by chapter, section and levels. Within each level are all the types of problems that identify the concepts that your students must know in order to be successful in Algebra including Graphs and Word Problems.

As you can tell from the screenshots, the program is very basic in appearance and the graphics are a bit outdated looking.  So, if you're looking for something fancy with bells and whistles this isn't it.  As seen below in the disclaimer, the focus is on mathematics, not games.

Introductory Algebra has 11 chapters

Chapter 1 Pre-Algebra Review
Chapter 2 Variable Expressions
Chapter 3 Solving Equations
Chapter 4 Polynomials
Chapter 5 Factoring
Chapter 6 Rational Expressions
Chapter 7 Linear Equations in Two Variables
Chapter 8 Systems of Linear Equations
Chapter 9 Inequalities
Chapter 10 Radical Expressions
Chapter 11 Quadratic Equations

Intermediate Algebra also has 11 chapters

Chapter 1 Review of Real Numbers
Chapter 2 First Degree Equations and Inequalities
Chapter 3 Linear Functions and Inequalities
Chapter 4 Systems of Equations and Inequalities
Chapter 5 Polynomials
Chapter 6 Rational Expressions
Chapter 7 Exponents and Radicals
Chapter 8 Quadratic Equations
Chapter 9 Functions and Relations
Chapter 10 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Chapter 11 Conic Sections

Initially, I had some trouble getting Math 911 set up.  I contacted tech support and I have to say that the customer service is probably the best I've ever received.  E-mails were answered promptly and issues were dealt with accordingly.  I even received a follow up e-mail a few days later to see if everything was going OK.  Later we had some issues with run time errors and again tech support was excellent.  Just this week we started having run time errors again, but with the free upgrade on the website we got it running again.  Unfortunately, we have had a few more run time errors which I will be contacting tech support for.  I have no doubt that tech support will be able to help me.  I do think these problems could be my computer so don't let that stop you from trying this.  IT doesn't cause any computer issues.  It just doesn't run properly when I'm getting the errors.

My 15 year old, Kaitlyn has been using the Intermediate Algebra course. Unfortunately, she really doesn't like it.  However, she doesn't enjoy Algebra in general and she doesn't like doing math on the computer so, it's hard to say whether she doesn't like Math911 or just Algebra on the computer. I have also used it a bit on my own and find it frustrating to have the answer box in the middle of the page and I dislike having to mouse over to the new problem button.  It interrupts the flow of working and I feel that it slows me down. (Katie agrees.)

Math 911 states:
Math911 is for students who believe that Algebra must be a struggle, difficult and complicated. Math911 is the easiest and most economical solution for Algebra students. The Math911 approach is what learning Algebra should be: quick, fun, and easy. Math911 will let you absorb Algebra effortlessly.

Unfortunately, we didn't find this to be true.  Katie isn't having fun and doesn't find it easy.  Perhaps a self-motivated math loving student might have a different opinion, but our experience hasn't been effortless. One of the things we struggled with was that there really is no instruction or lesson.  Students are presented with problems.  If they don't know how to do a problem they can click on the "see solution" button for the answer and then for the step-by-step process for solving the problem.  However, for someone that doesn't understand the problem, just seeing the step by step without any explanation often isn't enough.   I have  had to spend a lot of time helping Katie with her Algebra.  I am comfortable with this because I majored in math in college.  I'm not sure I would know what to do without that background.

With a Mastery Learning approach your students are never graded for wrong answers, only correct responses; they work at problems until they ‘get it.’

I really do like this aspect of the program.  Problems are generated until the student masters the concept. In a few cases, we found that the program would not accept correct answers.  The answer provided did not match the solution in the step-by-step solution either.  This was a problem in that in order to complete the section the same problem would come up repeatedly.  Eventually, we started writing down the incorrect answer that was shown and just entering it the next time it came up.  Math 911 does regular updates to their software so I imagine that errors such as this are being corrected.

Overall, I would like to see the appearance of Math911 updated and some of the capabilities improved.  For instance, besides the things I've already mentioned, there is an onscreen calculator that students can use, but they have to close it before entering the answer in the box.  Also, once you complete a problem you have to mouse over to the "new problem" button instead of just hitting the enter button.

I think Math911 would be best for a self-motivated student that has a strong desire to learn Algebra. I also think it would make a great addition to an existing curriculum for lots of practice.

One final note is that you will find some really nice Algebra 1 pdf lessons which are free to download and a free Laugh with Math cartoon e-book you can download.  Both are well written, very instructive and entertaining.  I highly recommend you check them out. (You will find these in the left hand column by scrolling down.)

The Standard Version of Math911 is a free complete Algebra One Course and can be downloaded from the website. No credit card, rebate or coupon code is needed.

The Premier Version costs $49.95  The Premier Version includes Introductory and Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, Pre-Calculus topics, Trigonometry topics and and an Introductory Statistics course. Premier Version users will have free lifetime updates, free technical support as well as access to additional Mathematics Courses with separate grade reports for all family members.

How to activate with Activation Codes for Premier, Premier Password, Network Password:
Upon purchase ($49.95) you should:

1. Click on Register button and email the Registration Codes to mathprof@math911.com
2. Identify yourself as a homeschooler.
3. You will receive a reply email with ALL Activation Codes for all versions listed below:
a) Premier Version (one user, no password)
b) Premier Password (Multi-users with passwords)
c) Network Version (Multi-users with passwords)
4. Users can switch between versions by clicking the REGISTER button and entering the codes for the desired version.
5. Passwords are generated by the software.

I would encourage you to see what others are saying about Math 911 on The Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.  I also would encourage you to download Math911 and give it a try.  It's free so you have nothing to lose and it might be just what you need in your homeschool.


disclaimer: I received Math 911 Premier version in exchange for an honest review.

HearBuilder Following Directions Software

HearBuilder® Following Directions Software Program by Super Duper Publications is our latest review item and it has been a big hit around here. HearBuilder is an interactive software program that gives children a systematic way to improve their auditory and following directions skills. Webber HearBuilder Following Directions is for children in preschool up to third grade (or older for children with special needs).

While earning their own toy factories and becoming "Master Toy Makers", children will learn to follow :

Basic directions (click on the small blue dog)
Sequential directions (first, set the color to red, second set the size to small, and then press "start"
Quantitative directions (choose all of the blue dogs)
Temporal directions (before you put a robot in the box, put a dog in the box)
Conditional directions (If a dog is in the box, put the box on the large truck)

Each activity has multiple levels of difficulty.  A child masters the task at one level before progressing to the next level.  Parents can choose the level of play for each child.  The levels include Play All, Beginner, Advanced and Expert.  The program provides data tracking for up to 4 children and the option to print progress reports.  In the expert level, there is an option for adding background noise to give children practice listening in noise.

Getting started is as easy as popping the CD-ROM into your computer.  The game saves data onto your hard drive.  Children will need to use HearBuilder on the same computer in order for tracking to work.

The main screen where students sign in.  You can also obtain progress reports here.

This is where students can choose which section they would like to work on.
They can choose any of the 5 doors.

In level 2 students build up to completing 3 tasks.  They have to listen to the entire list before
 they can start clicking on the shape size and temperature.

If the student answers correctly a toy comes out of the machine.

If the student answers incorrectly they get a toy that isn't a real toy and get to try again.

This is one activity from level 3 where students need to choose the object between the houses.

If the student chooses correctly a large tube vacuums up the object.

Students can check their own progress.

This is a sample of the parental progress reports available.  You can choose the level you wish to
see progress on or see them all as shown here.  You can print these reports as well.

Watch this video for a demonstration of HearBuilder:

Ellie (4) loves this the most, she asks to play it frequently.  This is was also fun for my 11 year old with Down syndrome, and my 6 year old. My 9 year old also has spent some time playing this but she's really just a bit too old for it I think.  I like how this program helps the child to build their listening skills. Though I couldn't actually see myself spending this much on this program, I think it is a valuable program and definitely something I am glad we have.

In addition to getting this program, I also received the Super Duper Publications catalog which is filled with a lot of fun and educational games and programs especially for children with special needs.  I hadn't ever heard of Super Duper Publications until this review and I'm glad to know about them.  The catalog is 280 pages and divided into sections such as articulation, phonology, auditory processing, augmentative communication, autism, sequencing skills and much more.  They even have apps. View the catalog here or request a print catalog.

You can purchase Webber HearBuilder Following Directions home edition for $69.95.  Use coupon code: BLGFD30 to save 30% on HearBuilder Following Directions Home Edition before 8/31/12. Free shipping is included for every order over $20.

See what others are saying about Webber HearBuilder and other Super Duper Publications on the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog. Crew members are also reviewing a game, Jeepers Peepers and another software program, HearBuilder Auditory Memory.  Coupon codes for these products will be found in the reviews.





disclaimer: I received a free copy Webber HearBuilder software in exchange for an honest review.

Map Trek

Map Trek by Knowledge Quest and Bramley Books is an atlas plus historical outline maps that allows you to teach geography alongside history. I have been using Knowledge Quest products for many years and can attest that they are very high quality, wonderful products.  I was SO excited to get the entire 6 volume set of Map Trek maps and lessons to download (pdf). These maps are designed for kids in 1st-12th grades. So, if you homeschool, this means you.

Map Trek can be purchased as individual e-books,  CD-ROMs or as a Complete Collection hardcover book with CD-ROM. There are 6 different editions of Map Trek. The full set includes 350 world maps and 265 US maps. (click on each title for more information)

Ancient World

Medieval World

New World

Modern World

US Edition 1- Historical Maps

US Edition 2- State Maps

Map Trek maps provide:

Historical maps that will help you navigate through history studies.
Accurate maps that show what the world was like THEN and NOW.
Maps that are easily downloadable yet inexpensive to print.
Attractive maps that you and your children will be proud to display.
Lesson plans that will show you what to do with them each week.

The student map.  I love that they don't use much ink to print.

The labeled answer map

Each e-book is organized chronologically with a blank map followed by the answer key map.  Complete lesson plans in 3 levels are also included or you can download free Curriculum Integration Guides to go along with many different history curricula including A Child's History of the World, Story of the World, Streams of Civilization, Veritas Press, TruthQuest History, Adventures in MFW, Ambleside Online, Sonlight, A Little History of the World, The History of the Medieval World, Ancient Civilizations and the Bible, Exploring World History and Joy Hakim's History of US. Others are being added over the month of August so be sure to check back if you don't see your program. This is an amazing resource for anyone using these history programs. However, these maps would be suitable for ANY history curriculum you are using.

a sample of a lesson from volume 1

You can download a 47 page sampler here along with a free US edition sampler andou can download their complete catalog. I own many of their products including Expedition Earth, A Child's Geography (both versions), The Star Spangled State Book, and the Wonders of Old Timeline.  All recommended. :)  Knowledge Quest also has a free e-book called Globalmania: Master World Geography in 7 Months or Less that you won't want to miss.

Keep in mind that these are historical maps and not your basic outline maps.  I am very thankful to have these maps at my fingertips.

Purchase Map Trek as a complete set (download) for $47.00.  Individual map sets are $14.95. The CD ROM set is available for $49.95 plus shipping. The Hardcover book with CD-ROM is $55 plus shipping.

Visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog to see what others are saying about Map Trek and Time Maps.












disclaimer: I received the complete set of Map Trek maps in exchange for an honest review.

Keyboarding for the Christian School

A-S-D-F-J-K-L-semi.  If you had typing in a school setting like I did, you can probably still hear your teacher saying chanting that over and over again.  Typing is one of the skills that I learned in high school that I use on a daily basis.  Of course, back then, there was no reason to learn to type until you were in high school.  (Am I dating myself? :) )  Nowadays kids need to learn to type when they are young so they don't have to unlearn incorrect typing methods later on. Keyboarding for the Christian School is a great way for your children to learn to type.

Rather than type directly from the screen like most typing programs, students learn to type by looking at the printed pages.  I put ours in a 3-ring binder but you could print as you go or have them bound.  Print versions are also available.  You will need to e-mail the author for information about that.

Why choose a printable e-book versus a web-based program? Think about the things you type. Are they readily available to copy from the screen or are they something that you are looking at on a piece of paper? Usually you are typing something from a rough draft. If the lessons are only available on the computer monitor; your student will not get the needed skill of transferring information from paper to the computer. A printable e-book allows you the preference of binding the whole book or just giving your student one page at a time. A printable e-book is portable and economical. -from the website

The large font edition of Keyboarding for the Christian School uses 20-point Times New Roman font.  The default for most word processors is 12-point.  I really like the large print, as it makes it easy to see and keep your place especially in early lessons when students are typing groups of letters and not actual words.

The lessons are intentionally brief to allow for shorter class time, review or to complete more than on lesson at time.  This course is for a QWERTY keyboard.

My 6 year old learning to type

There are 12 guidelines for how to position yourself when touch typing that are provided in the book.  (such as sit up straight and lean in at the waist).  We have our computers on a table and it's impossible for our children to follow these guidelines since they just aren't tall enough.  We did the best we could without following these rules.

Keyboarding for the Christian School Elementary Version is a 90 page book divided into 32 lessons.

Lessons 1-20 cover Alphabetic Keys
Lessons 21-25 cover Numbers and Symbol Keys
Lessons 26-29 cover the Number Pad
Lesson 30 is on Centering
Lesson 31 covers Enumerated Lists
Lesson 32 has 10 pages of Timed Writings

A partial sample page-I like the cute lady bug ad the colorful keyboard.

One of the things I love about this program is that the typing exercises are scripture. As you can see in the lesson above it begins with a scripture as well.

If you don't want to print your book, you could do a side by side with the lesson or timed writing on the left
and  your word processor on the right. This works great.  You could also use a second computer or tablet.

Keyboarding for the Christian School Elementary Version won
Best Exclusive e-book
from Small Christian Publishers this year.

Also available from the publisher is Keyboarding for the Christian School revised edition which covers everything in the elementary version and much more. It is 106 pages long and has lessons on the tab key, reports, cover page, works cited, bibliography, letters, envelopes and proof readers marks. This version is excellent for your older students. This black and white book uses Times New Roman 12 point font.

Click here for sample lessons. I highly recommend Keyboarding for the Christian School to anyone who wishes to use a traditional approach to teaching typing. I plan to continue using this with my children. I think typing is a valuable (necessary!) skill and what better way to learn than by typing God's word. Thank you Leanne Beitel for creating this wonderful resource and for the opportunity to review it!

Keyboarding for the Christian School Elementary is available in two versions, regular font and large font.  I prefer the large font as mentioned above.

Keyboarding for the Christian School Elementary Version (For grades K-5) is available for $12.95 and Keyboarding for the Christian School (for grades 6 and up) is available for $15.95.  See the website for package deals and other products including lesson plans. I am excited to be able to offer an unpublished 20% discount to my readers. Use promo code SUMMER2012 when you check out. Coupon code will expire on August 29, 2012.

Visit the the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog to see what others are saying about Keyboarding for the Christian School.






disclaimer: I was given copies of Keyboarding for the Christian School in large font, regular and revised editions in exchange for an honest review.

Professor B Math

I first heard of Professor B math several years ago but didn't really know too much about it.  I was happy to have the chance to review this for the Schoolhouse Review Team. Professor B claims a student can learn 3 years of math in one year.  I think this would be a great way to catch a student up that might be behind where they "should" be.  We tested Level 1 of Professor B.

Professor B Math is an online math program available in 3 levels.  The lessons have no audio and are "taught" by Professor B (shown below).  The parent must read the lessons to the child.  It requires no prep time whatsoever but you do have to do the entire lesson with the child. There is no busy work involved though the lessons have a lot of repetition.  A pdf workbook is also provided but not every lesson has pages to work.

Professor B has three levels and covers the following topics:

LEVEL I

Pre-K though 2nd grade and remediation of older learners.

Introduction to Addition/Subtraction Facts 

Counting to One Hundred 

Lower Addition and Subtraction 

Higher Addition and Subtraction 

Place Value Fractional Parts & Order 

Time 

Money

LEVEL II 

3rd grade through 5th grade and remediation of older learners.

Multiplication/Division Facts and Problem Solving 

Introduction to Fractions 

Fractional Equivalence 

Addition and Subtraction Fractions

LEVEL III 

6th through 8th grades and remediation of older learners.

Multiplication/Division of Fractions

Decimals 

Percents

There is a free placement test on the Shop Our Products section of the website. You will also find sample lessons there. Professor B runs on java and is presented in a power-point style.

Once you log in to the e-learning section of the website you come to this screen where you can access the lessons and the workbook, It also gives instructions for how to use the program.



The first lessons use combinations of fingers to teach how many.  Later objects are also used for counting.

I love the way Professor B teaches place value.  It really makes sense.

Here are two partial worksheet samples from Level 1.

A worksheet to be done orally

A sample written worksheet

A printable certificate is available for each level

What We Like:
I like the way Professor B teaches math.  Descriptions are thorough and often different from other math programs.
There is no teacher prep involved.
No busy work.


What We Don't Like:
The pages are slow loading (see the sample lessons for an idea of what I mean). I don't like waiting.
The lessons can be too long causing the child to lose interest.
I have to read as if I am the bee and it doesn't feel natural to me. (There is no audio at all in Professor B. Read why here.)
The font is small.
There are times when you can clearly tell that this is designed for a classroom.
It doesn't keep track of which lessons you used so you need to come up with a way to remember where you are (more difficult when using with more than one student.)
The website can be confusing especially when first starting out.

Will We Continue to Use this?

Ellie (4) absolutely loves Professor B and I think it has been very helpful for Connor (11 with Down syndrome) so yes, despite the lengthy list of things I don't care for, the benefits outweigh my personal dislike for some parts of Professor B.

Pricing is as follows:
1 level $20 a month
2 levels $35 a month
3 levels $45 a month

If you purchase by the month it will be set up with automatic renewal and be charged to your credit card until you cancel. You can also purchase one year for $220 per level and receive a free mug and t-shirt. You can call to get a free 30 day trial. 678-765-6655

Visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog to see what other crew members think of Professor B. Feel free to ask questions in the comment section and I will answer if I can.

 Professor B also sells a textbook version of arithmetic and algebra, t-shirts and mugs.







disclaimer:  I received a one year subscription to Professor B (all 3 levels) in exchange for an honest review.