Here’s the issue for us: She has ADHD. So finding ways to hold her interest in a science lesson can be a challenge.

When I heard about the opportunity to try a new science program – Mosa Mack Science – I jumped at the chance! And I’m so glad I did. By using the program, I learned three ways to interest girls in science and they worked for us!

Disclosure: I received access to this program in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

Ways to Interest Girls in Science

1. Make it accessible.

First of all, science has to be accessible for girls. I’ll be honest. I was not interested in science as a child, except for dinosaurs which I still happen to think are awesome.

I was definitely more interested in the humanities, as were most girls in my school. Now that the sciences have become more inclusive, I’m glad to see that more girls are pursuing STEM fields.

Accessibility is one of the things I love about Mosa Mack Science. It’s extremely easy to use. All of the modules are located on the site, complete with a summary and a blurb about the specific activity students will complete during the process.

I loved that because I could easily look at the summaries and help Tigger choose a topic that interested her.

Naturally, I looked through the module first and printed all of the materials. It gave me a head start on planning, so I could keep her moving from activity to activity without having to wait around.

Each module includes a Warm-Up – a gentle introduction to the topic at hand. Since we were covering the “Food Chains” module, our warm-up was an intro to food webs and how they are organized.

After learning about food webs and getting instructions to make our own, we also had the chance to do a design project (a super tie-in to STEM)!

The module also has a short, animated video that contains a scientific mystery Mosa Mack has to solve. In a separate window, you can click and find out the answer (after your kids try to think of it, of course).

2. Make it relatable.

Female scientists were hardly even discussed when I was in school, except for Marie Curie. Most of the women I learned about were wives or mothers of famous people – wives of presidents, wives of civil rights leaders, mothers of famous singers, and so on.

A major reason I wanted to review this product was because the main character, Mosa Mack, is a girl of color. Since Tigger is a young girl of color, she loved seeing someone who resembled her on the screen. When girls relate to scientists, they are far more likely to see science as a field “for them”.

Further, Mosa is an excellent portrayal for young girls. She’s inquisitive, persistent, well-spoken, and extremely intelligent – everything we want our daughters to be!

3. Make it interesting!

Finally, science lessons should be interesting! I was always bored in science class, because it mostly consisted of lectures. Mosa Mack Science, though, is much more interactive.

The characters in the videos are funny, but not distracting. And the story moves quickly enough to keep kids’ attention, even wiggly ones like Tigger.

The modules also include hands-on activities that relate to the video. Tigger completed a paper review of the major points covered in the video. The handout contained still captures from the video to help her recall the pertinent scenes.

Tigger also got to make vocabulary and quote flashcards using new terms she learned in the unit. In the Food Chains unit, some of her terms included “Primary Consumer”, “Decomposer”, and “Producer”. She cut out the pictures, matched them with the right quotes, and added her terms and definitions.

All done! She had a blast and quickly asked me when we could do more of the units!

Do you have a budding girl scientist in your family? How do you help her direct her interest in the sciences? Let us know in the comments! And be sure to visit Mosa Mack Science to check out the free resources and learn more about the program!

The post 3 Ways to Interest Girls in Science appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

Do you have any reluctant writers in your family? We do. Tigger is an avid reader, but a hesitant writer. I understand. I’m exactly the same way.

So I was thrilled when we got a chance to try the homeschool writing program: Writeshop Junior! It’s a comprehensive creative writing program for upper elementary kids!

Check out our Writeshop Junior review to see how the program helped us make creative writing fun!

One of my favorite things about the WriteShop curriculum is that literally everything is explained for you. What to print, how to assemble it, and how to teach each section. It’s super simple to use.

The curriculum has a unique way to introduce the basic concept of writing a letter. Kids can color code each section of the letter to help them remember the basics: body, date, salutation, closing, and signature.

Then we made a fun parts of a letter robot, which Tigger assembled (in order) and then colored. After that, she understood where everything goes on a letter without having to write an endless amount of letters herself.

WriteShop also includes plenty of reading work to help kids concentrate on reading good literature. I always feel that grammar is learned by lots and lots of reading. Since Tigger loves books, she found the reading logs and took off running! (The book she read for this assignment was “Soupy Saturdays with the Pain and the Great One” by Judy Blume.)

I’ll tell you – there’s no better sound than hearing your child ask, “Can I go and read so I can complete my reading log, Mama?” That’s the sound of a bookworm developing!

Another part of WriteShop that both Tigger and I loved was the Grammar Folders. All of the templates (and assembly instructions) are provided for you. And they are a great way for kids to get involved in their own lessons and take responsibility for studying.

Whenever Tigger was confused about when to use which quotation mark, she could just consult the folder herself for a quick reminder. The folder templates even come with detachable bookmarks!

After a few weeks of introductory work, it was time to actually begin creative writing! Since the program opens with such a gentle introduction to the concept, though, Tigger was ready and not overwhelmed at all!

As we got further along into the program, the assignments became longer, which I thought was a great thing. During Unit 3, Tigger got to use several words from a noun bank to write a story based in the Amazon jungle. Here’s her story:

Maria and Julio live in Brazil. They decided to explore the Brazilian rainforest. They packed up and headed for the Amazon jungle first. They got a chance to swing on lots of vines. They packed hammocks for the nights they traveled. As they set them up, Maria pointed out a bat family flying across the night sky.

The next morning they headed for the Brazilian rainforest. Julio found a diamond. He put it in his backpack. Maria and Julio also discovered maggots on the ground. They rode a boat down a waterfall. They even picked up a tarantula! They also climbed up a tree and found a sloth!

Before they went to sleep that night, they sat up in their hammocks looking at the pictures they’d taken. They both agreed it was the best time they’d ever had!

The end.

Personally, I think it’s worthy of a Pulitzer.

We really enjoyed using WriteShop. The curriculum is a great way to motivate kids who are reluctant writers to jump in with both feet!

Are you on Instagram? Show off your creativity with a photo writing prompt. Use nature, toys, kids, whatever. Or, make a collage like a comic book. Follow WriteShop on Instagram and then share your image with the hashtag #writeshopwriting. Be sure to tag @WriteShop in your photo. Their team will be choosing from your photo writing prompts to share in their social media!

And now, it’s time to host the awesome giveaway!

Giveaway product provided by WriteShop. Winner will be selected and notified by email on April 4, 2015. Winner has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. If the winner is a US resident, a physical product will be provided. If the winner lives internationally, only a digital product will be provided. Void where prohibited.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interested in learning more about how WriteShop can be used in your homeschool? Check out these awesome reviews!

The post Making Creative Writing Fun for Reluctant Writers: Writeshop Junior Review appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

And, by the way, it’s time for another edition of the Laugh and Learn linkup! Be sure to read our favorites from last week below!

This snowflake unit features YouTube videos that explain how snowflakes form, as well as questions you can use to review the concepts with your kids afterward. There is a booklist with great kids’ books about snowflakes, and even a couple of snowflake crafts that will let you make your own winter “snow”!

Stop over at Year Round Homeschooling to get a few ideas for your snowflake unit study!

Snowflake Unit – Year Round Homeschooling

And now…on to the linky!

Welcome to our eleventh week of Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup. Join us in the fun and help us spread the word! Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup will be open by 6 am every Tuesday morning.

We will pick our four favorite posts and feature them on the following weeks linkup. Be sure to link your best content and maybe we will pick you! When you link your post with us it will be featured on three blogs.

We pin our favorites to a special Pinterest board for #laughlearnlinkup homeschool and parenting posts. Check the board out here: #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites}. It’s added exposure for your awesome content!

Your Fabulous Hosts

Tina Ernspiker

Tina lives abroad in Latin America with her husband and four children. Currently in Mexico, Tina is active in homeschool, travel, and her Bible ministry. She blogs about all of their adventures and more at Los Gringos Locos.

Find Tina at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Google +
Linkedin
Tsu

Selena

Selena is a writer and a homeschooling mom to four kids, including three with ADHD/SPD. Selena and her husband, Jay, are committed to teaching their children at home and loving every minute of it! You can read about the family’s homeschooling experiences at Look! We’re Learning, written by Selena!

Find Selena at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Instagram

Sarah Thornton

Sarah lives in Kentucky, USA, where she and her husband homeschool three children. Sarah writes for and about, families with special needs. She hopes to provide support and encouragement to all special needs parents in the homeschool community. Visit Sarah at Dedicated Homeschooler.

Find Sarah at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Instagram

Our Favorite Posts for the Week of December 8th:

Written by Melanie at Tree Valley Academy

Written by Jennifer at Royal Little Lambs

Written by Gude at Hodge Podge Craft

Thanks to everyone who submitted a post. Please check out the posts above by clicking on the image, if you have a minute for some good reading. Thank you Melanie, Jennifer, and Gude for your great homeschool and parenting posts!

Now, let’s see your best posts for this week so we can share them as next week’s favorites!

The post Homeschool Unit Studies: Snowflake Unit appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

When you’re in college, you don’t really get to spend a lot of time studying grammar. Naturally, professors assume that you already know the basics of English grammar long before you begin college courses. My problem is that I had been out of high school for over a decade when I enrolled, so I was rather rusty.

Recently, I got the chance to try the online grammar application Grammarly and it really makes it easier to write with proper grammar, whether you’re writing an academic paper, a business report, or even a personal letter. Here’s a quick look at how to improve academic writing with Grammarly.

Disclosure: I received free limited-time access to this program in exchange for this review. My opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

There are a lot of online proofreaders around, but one of the things that sets Grammarly apart (in my opinion) is that it offers a far more customizable set of options.

When you first log into the program, you have the option to explore the it by examining a demo document. Or you can get right to work on something of your own. Which brings me to one of my favorite features of Grammarly: You can either upload an existing document you’ve already written OR you can write something new directly in the program.

You can even download Grammarly as an add-in for Microsoft Word and use it right from within Word. Awesome.

While I love the flexibility of editing a completed document or writing it within the program, Grammarly really shines in the editing and revising arena. You can check for plagiarism, which is great to do before you submit a paper. (It’s amazing how many of the same words and phrases are used in academic writing, without any intent to plagiarize.)

But you can also ask the program to look at your document according to its specific type. For example, if you’re writing a college paper, you can choose “Academic” and then the type of paper (“Essay”, “Case Study”, “Dissertation”, etc.). Grammarly will then look at the document and offer revision and proofreading remarks based on that type of submission. You can also choose from several other types of documents, including “Business” (letter, report, proposal, etc.), “Technical” (end-user documentation, marketing), and “Creative” (novel, script, short story). Wowzers.

If you want to add a little “something” to your work, Grammarly can offer you suggestions through the Vocabulary Enhancement tool. Click the magic wand to get a list of more polished words or phrases that can make your work stand out.

Once the program finishes looking at your document, you’ll get a report containing a list of all of your errors. As you can see, Grammarly examines the document in several areas, including “contextual spelling”, “sentence structure”, and “style”. You don’t have to try to remember what a dangling modifier is! Grammarly will fix it for you.

I really enjoyed using Grammarly and I’d highly recommend it if you plan to do any type of professional writing on a regular basis. If you’d like to try Grammarly, you can get a free seven-day trial to see if the service is right for you!

The post How to Improve Academic Writing with Grammarly appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

Mango Languages offers more than 60 languages and dialects for students, including Spanish, French, and even Ancient Greek! We settled on French, but the kids were excited to see that we could learn just about any language!

I received free access to this program in exchange for this review. I was compensated for my time. All opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

I had heard of Mango Languages before, but I had no idea that they had a program specifically for homeschoolers! Needless to say, I was super excited to try it out!

Mango Languages French Program

Since we’re already in the process of learning Spanish with the kids, we thought we’d focus on French for a while. I hooked up the computer to our television (for easier viewing) and we got started!

When we opened the program for the first time, we had the option to start at the beginning or take a placement test. So – if you already have a working knowledge of a certain language, you can skip right to the concepts that you particularly need help with. Perfect for the mom in a time crunch!

Another benefit of Mango Languages’ program is that you can progress through the “Mango Conversation” lessons with the goal of conversing in the language. Instead of just learning random words, you can actually hold a conversation by the time you finish each section.

Mango Languages also has a strong emphasis on the cultural background of each language. We’re fluent in American Sign Language, and I’ve noticed that learning ASL doesn’t mean a lot if you don’t learn about deaf culture. The same is true with spoken languages.

It’s so important that we teach our children, not just a foreign language (or two or three!), but the culture of the people who use it. Since Mango Languages includes cultural notes in the program, you’ll get a chance to understand how and when to use the phrases you learn.

After we learned that it’s common to greet one another with a kiss on the cheek in France, we practiced greeting each other in that manner.

It did NOT go over well.

Using Mango Languages with Children

To offer an easy introduction to French, the program started with basic English greetings.

Then we learned the French equivalent of each phrase. Interestingly, we also got to learn the literal meaning of each phrase. Did you know that “Tiens” literally means “Hold it!”? The kids got a kick out of saying “Hold it! Good morning!”

I asked the children to copy down the phrases we learned as we went through the lesson. We practiced saying them aloud, along with the prompts.

Then it was time to hold a couple of practice French conversations! By the end of the lesson, they were saying “Hello”, “Good morning”, “How are you?” (formal and casual), “Goodbye”, and several other French phrases!

Homeschoolers love printables (myself included), so if you’re considering the program, you’ll be glad to know that you can download printable foreign language learning outlines! They’ll give you a good idea of what to cover before you begin, and you can use them to reinforce the lessons afterward.

To find out if Mango Languages is a good fit for your family, you can sign up for the Homeschool program free trial! If you decide to subscribe to the monthly program, you can use the coupon code HS5PM to save $5 off the monthly rate!

To keep up with news about Mango Languages’ programs for foreign language learning, follow Mango Languages on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. The company also has a YouTube channel where you can learn about how the program works for students of all ages!

Want to win Mango Languages’ Homeschool program for free? You can enter the giveaway to win a FREE Kindle Fire loaded with Mango Languages software! Use the Giveaway Tools widget below to enter:

The post French Language Learning with Mango Languages! appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

If you’re searching for homeschool art and music curriculum, check out these five options to add both subjects to your weekly lessons!

This post contains affiliate links, which help to support this site. Thank you!

Homeschool Art and Music Curriculum Suggestions

Chalk Pastels: Art at the Beach – Tricia Hodges

We just got into using chalk pastels with our kids and we really enjoyed working with them! The kids got to use their hands to make art and Tricia’s instructions are very easy to follow, which makes it a perfect option for art newbies! In Art at the Beach, Tricia explains how to make sandscapes, beach umbrellas, and even ocean animals!

A Seasonal Start in Fall Chalk Pastels – Tricia Hodges

Now that we’re coming up on fall, we’ll be breaking out the fall art projects. In A Seasonal Start in Fall, Tricia demonstrates how to use chalk pastels to draw fall scenes such as pumpkin patches, and owls in trees.

Elementary Art Color Theory Pack – Heather Aliano

This pack is a very relaxed introduction to color theory for kids. It features practice activities to help kids learn about color hues, mixing, and color wheels. It even includes vocabulary words to help students learn about “warm” and “cool” hues, as well as “contrast”, “primary”, and “secondary” colors!

SQUILT Volume 2: Classical Era – Mary Prather

SQUILT stands for “Super Quiet UnInterrupted Listening Time” and it’s an elementary-level course for classical music appreciation. In Volume 2, Mary focuses on composers of the Classical Era (1750-1820) and offers an education in musical terminology such as: repertoire, tempo, dynamics, and instrumentation. Kids also get to learn about musical instrument families and works by Haydn, Mozart, and others.

We Got Jazz – Look! We’re Learning!

Our own We Got Jazz! is great for introducing the world of jazz to kids. Students learn about five famous jazz artists – their lives, careers, and famous works. They also get to explore their own feelings about selected pieces through listening activities.

The post 5 Homeschool Art and Music Curriculum Choices appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

Today, I’m sharing five homeschool language arts curriculum resources to help you put together your own language arts program! Trust me, it’s easier than you think. I hope you find these suggestions helpful!

Resources for Homeschool Language Arts Curriculum

How to Choose “Just Right” Books: Helping Kids Grow as Readers – Becky Spence

I’m a huge enormous bookworm, but that doesn’t mean that my kids will automatically love reading. A big part of helping kids love to read is choosing books that are a good fit for their age and comprehension level. We don’t want to set them up for frustration by handing them books that are above their reading ability. Becky Spence shares excellent suggestions for choosing books that are “just right” for your kids in How to Choose “Just Right” Books: Helping Kids Grow as Readers.

Designing Your Language Arts Curriculum – Jimmie Lanley

What’s involved in a good language arts curriculum? Ideally, we should be including grammar, reading, literature, spelling, and penmanship. If you’re wondering how you can possibly include all of those subjects in your lesson plan, Jimmie Lanley explains how you can in Designing Your Language Arts Curriculum.

Understanding Copywork – Amy Maze

Copywork is a grammar concept from the Charlotte Mason style of education. It involves having children practice penmanship and grammar by copying excerpts from examples of excellent writing. If you’re wondering just why copywork is beneficial and how to include it in your homeschool, Amy Maze’s Understanding Copywork is a perfect primer on the subject!

Essay Tune Up – Jimmie Lanley

Writing an essay doesn’t have to be a difficult assignment for kids. In Essay Tune Up, Jimmie Lanley offers printable worksheets to help students break essays into sections: introduction, details, and conclusion. She also includes prewriting organizers, cheat sheets for better transitions, and a peer editing checklist!

Writing a Biography – Valerie McClintick

Since writing about a real person can involve lots of research and preparation, it’s important that students learn how to look up information, find good sources, compile their thoughts into an outline, and express them fluently. In Writing a Biography, Valerie McClintick takes elementary-aged students through the step-by-step process of writing a biography for the first time.

Do you have any great homeschool language arts curriculum resources to share? Tell us about them in the comments!

The post 5 Homeschool Language Arts Curriculum Resources appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

So – I’m passing on a few of these suggestions to you all today! Check out these five tips for using homeschool preschool curriculum and let us know if you have any suggestions of your own to add!

This post contains affiliate links, which help to support this site. Thank you!

Tips for Using Homeschool Preschool Curriculum

1. Help preschoolers work on independent activities so you can teach them to sit quietly during lessons. A great independent activity for little learners is using stickers for play. Are your little ones too young to manipulate stickers? Try this great tip from 101 Independent Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers by MaryEllen Bream: “If your child has a hard time handling stickers, sticky notes provide just as much fun but are a little easier for younger children to manage.” Genius!
2. Help kids build a personal connection to what they learn. For example, if you’re teaching the alphabet, let the kids think of their favorite objects for each letter of the alphabet. My A to Z Dictionary by Mama Jenn is a perfect resource for teaching young children the alphabet and letting them draw pictures of their favorite things!
3. Start slowly by teaching basic skills. Learning to manipulate shapes through fine motor activities is a great introduction to pre-writing. Try this activity from Basic Shapes for Beginners by Heather Greutman: Use wooden blocks to help preschoolers match vertical and horizontal lines with their matching block shape. What a neat introduction to making letters!
4. Start the day with Circle Time. If you’re teaching kids of several age groups, gathering everyone together for Circle Time in the morning can get the day started off right. Circle Time: Plan the Best Part of the Day by Kendra Fletcher includes tons of great suggestions for Circle Time for all ages – from preschoolers to teens!
5. Teach more than one concept at a time. Rather than teaching numbers and letters separately, include them both in a single activity. You’ll save time and help your little ones connect what they’re learning to other skills. My Color-By-Number ABC Book by Lauren Hill is a great way to reinforce ABCs, counting, and coordination – all at once!

The post 5 Homeschool Preschool Curriculum Tips appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

In our homeschool curriculum post for 2014-15, I mentioned one of the art curriculum products we’re using this year, so I’m sharing our experience with it today!

I received a copy of this ebook in exchange for this review. My opinions are my own and are not influenced by any other company. This post contains affiliate links, which help to support this site. Thank you!

Tricia from Hodgepodge, who has released several chalk pastel ebooks already, is offering a discount on her newest product: Sharks Chalk Pastel Art for All Ages – just in time for Shark Week!

We got the chance to try out the book this week and we loved it! Here’s a look at our very first ever in history chalk pastel art!

I have to admit: I was pretty intimidated by the thought of making “art”, because I’m not very artistic. But I don’t want the kids to inherit that and Tricia’s book is perfect for art newbies like us!

We grabbed a pack of Loew-Cornell Chalk Pastels and got to work!

Okay – so the first thing you’ll probably notice is that there are black smudges all over the paper. The kids were working with multiple colors and turning the pages, so they didn’t realize they were smudging the ENTIRE picture. Live and learn, right? Thank goodness we took Tricia’s advice and kept baby wipes handy!

Once we got the picture done, we used one of Tricia’s chalk pastel techniques called “fisting”. All you do is take the bottom of your closed fist and rub it against the colors to blend them.

That is the face of a boy who is happy to have chalk all over his hand.

See how the blending made the ocean look smoother? Much, much better.

So we ended up with three great pictures and three happy artists!

Here’s what I liked best about the book: The whole activity took only 20 minutes – and that included clean up! The ebook truly is for all ages.

If you’d like to see more of the book, be sure to stop by Hodgepodge to check out the Sharks Chalk Pastel Art for All Ages ebook!

The post Making Shark Art with Chalk Pastels appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

When we’re planning our homeschool year, we try to ask the children about the things they personally want to learn about. As you can imagine, we get all kinds of responses.

This time, though, we’re going to use their suggestions as the basis for our unit studies, which we’ll also be sharing with you during the year!

Animal Unit Study Topics

Geography Unit Study Topics

World geography is a huge interest in our family, so the kids picked the following topics this year:

• India (Tigger)
• Japan (Tigger)
• China (Tigger)
• Chile (Tigger)
• Kids Around the World (Tigger)
• Australia (Pooh)
• Egypt (Pooh)
• New York City (Roo)

Science Unit Study Topics

The kids’ science topic list includes:

• Magnetism (Tigger)
• Composition of stars (Tigger)
• Trees (Roo)
• Flowers (Roo)

General Unit Study Topics

Then we have the following topics, which don’t really fit a particular category:

• International Dance Styles (Tigger)
• Musical Instruments (Tigger)
• Painting (Pooh)
• Construction (Roo)

Looks like it’ll be an interesting school year!

Other Unit Study Resources:

1. The Ultimate List of Unit Study Resources – Sidetracked Sarah
2. Should You Use Unit Studies? – Living Montessori Now
3. Using Pinterest for Unit Studies – Look! We’re Learning!
4. How to Plan a Unit Study – Our Journey Westward

Do you use unit studies in your homeschool? What will you be learning this year? We’d love to hear about your interests in the comments!

This post is part of the “Ultimate Back to School Linky” from Blessed Beyond a Doubt! Click over to read other back to school posts from great parenting bloggers!

The post Our Unit Study Topics for 2014-15 appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.