5 Educational Apps For iPhone

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I love my iPhone. From it I can rule my kingdom (or at least pretend to) but apps on my phone have been really good for my kids as well. I have loaded a ton in the last two years and here are the 5 we happen to love the most right now. The really great thing about this is that you can squeeze a little learning time into the 5 minutes you are waiting here and there.

1. Dinosaurs-The American Museum of Natural History Collections: This starts out as a mosiac of a t-rex which breaks down into thousands of gorgeous photos of dinosaurs. This is a really extensive collection and I find the boys hopping around from one thing to another on it. Best part is ITS FREE!
2. iKnow Math Dojo-my kids have been playing this on iKnowThat.com for a really long time so it was a natural app to get when it came out. Kids can practice their math facts (there are an addition-subtraction and multiplication-division versions) by helping Leon the turtle practice his karate kicking skills. The app works just like the online game and we have been pleased with its performance. $1.99.
3. b&n eReader-I may be partial to this one because anything we buy for the Nook can be transferred over to my sons iPhone. Saves me a ton of time when something comes up on his K12 reading list. No more “but mom I am waiting for you to go get the book” and since he is so addicted to his phone he can never tell me that he doesn’t have a book to read. The app is free, the book downloads are not.
4. Space Images-This free app comes from NASA. Like Dinosaurs, the photos are amazing. You can view all the latest images sent from the JPL spacecraft. They have some very cool images that I have not seen anywhere else.
5. Rush Hour-This is the same puzzle game that many of us (or our kids) played when they were younger except you don’t have to put up with all the lost cars that come with the plastic version Strangely addicting little puzzle game that takes the plastic version to new levels. Gives hints and strategies with it. $.99

Bonus: This one is not educational. It is just bizarrely fun and addicting. The whole object is to make the Doodle Jump. That’s it. Just make him keep bouncing up. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

What about you? What are your favorite educational apps? What am I missing?

PS….My friend, Lori, wrote a post on Fun Websites To Enhance Your Child’s Learning so if you don’t have an iPhone (or even if you do) head over there and find some other cool resources. She is a new blogger so give her some love

Jeff Corwin Answers Your Questions!

As part of the Lunch, Roar & Score Sweepstakes for Lunchables Lunch Combinations I will have the chance to interview Jeff Corwin Wednesday afternoon. I know how much homeschool kids (and moms) love Corwin Quest on Animal Planet so what I would like to do is ask the kids for their questions!

Have your kids leave me their questions in the comments area and I will ask Jeff as many as I have time for. The interview is being taped so check back on Friday to see what his answers are!

As part of this campaign kids can also enter the Lunchables Animal Planet Sweepstakes!

Through May 3, 2010, kids can enter for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Boston with their family where they‘ll spend three days with Jeff Corwin, learning about their favorite animals. Entering is easy – simply log onto www.lunchables.com and answer an animal-themed trivia question. Ten lucky winners and their families will get a behind-the-scenes tour of the New England Aquarium and Franklin Park Zoo as well as an exclusive welcome dinner with Jeff Corwin.

My Favorite Science Gifts

Oh my! I am such a slacker! A few weeks ago (ok, maybe more than a few) I received another AWESOME package from Steve Spangler Science full of goodies from their holiday gift guide.

Here is what was in my box when I opened it:

Galileo Thermometer & Barometer

I absolutely, positively love this. We have it set up in the living room. It came with great instructions on how to set it up. The kids are having a lot of fun comparing this to the digital weather station we have. I was really excited about it because we have long called Carter our little barometer as the weather change often sets off a shunt headache for him. We are using this to compare the changes with his headaches. Plus, it just looks so cool!

Mentos Geyser Tube

Steve also sent me over the new depth charge for the mentos geyser as well as the traditional release contraption he first came out with. We had a lot of fun with both but prefer the new depth charge one. It essentially sinks the mentos to the bottom for the explosion to start.

Air Burst Rockets

Incredibly high shooting rocket. It can fly 600 feet in the air. Need I say more? If there is a more perfect toy for boys, I don’t what it would be. We had to take it to the park around the corner. I didn’t get video of my kiddos with it but this one from the boys at Steve’s office is pretty amazing:

Boom Splat Kablooey – Klutz Book

This one is under the tree. Shhhh…….

Disclosure: As noted Steve Spangler Science provided me with these products to review at no charge. I do truly, truly love Steve Spangler Science which is why I write about them as I often as I do:)

Steve Spangler Science

OK, I admit that I am a total science geek. Kid science though. Guess that explains the whole stint as a 4th grade science teacher So, I was beyond geeked when I found out that one of my twitter pals @colosciencemom worked for Steve Spangler Science. I was even more geeked when Steve and Susan asked me to come in and talk homeschool science with them last week.

I tried to play it cool but come on, the offices are so freakin’ fun I was like a kid in a candy shop. I mean where else can you go to work, get paid to blow things up, mail mannequin body parts to people for fun and decorate your space like this?

Steve is known as a “teacher’s teacher” and we had a very interesting conversation about teaching homeschool parents to be “cluster leaders”. Building off the theory that by teaching teachers and parents HOW TO TEACH science we are able to give our kids a much better experience, we brainstormed how best to reach out into the homeschool world. Steve had a great point that sometimes we do these really great little science tricks with the kids but they don’t really walk away with the lesson of how to use the scientific method- how to be curious about their world, test their hypothesis, learn that failing and retrying is not only OK but sometimes preferred.

Steve gave me some awesome experiments to do with the boys. We just did Jelly Marbles and Water Cubes and really worked through the scientific method with them. I will be posting that soon along with lots more in my homeschool science section.

One of the things I really like about Steve Spangler is that he truly loves what he does and is passionate about reaching the next generation of scientists.   His teacher training classes look amazing and are pretty break even for them. Apparently you leave with so many take home items. But I wonder even at a break even price, would YOU go to a one day bootcamp for around $200? I probably would, but am I in the minority here? What do you think? and did you know that you can sign up to get an email for the experiment of the week which USUALLY is stuff that you have in the house? Pretty cool, free way to get some fun science in your week.

Steve also asked me about the money we get from the state for homeschooling. I know that Nevada did not give any funds directly to parents and I am pretty sure that Colorado does not either (PLEASE correct me if I am wrong and tell me how to get it). Does your state? If they do, what do you spend it on?

I really want to know what you think so lets get the dialogue rolling!

Homeschool Conventions 2009

Looking for a homeschool convention? There are some fun homeschool and unschool conventions that I have heard about coming up. If you have any others to share, leave the information in a comment. Hope you get to go to at least one this year!

Good Vibrations Unschooling Conference

SEPTEMBER 10-13, 2009 – SAN DIEGO, CA

Have several friends making it to this one. I would have loved to go but choose the Disney one.

Read more about this great convention at Good Vibrations Unschooling Conference. Be registered by August 14!

Not near California? Here is another great unschooling conference:

Unschoolers Winter Waterpark Gathering in Ohio

Where can you surf indoors, play carnival games, and chat with John Taylor Gatto all in the same day?

At the 3rd Annual Unschoolers Winter Waterpark Gathering in Ohio, that’s where!

February 8-12, 2010 Kalahari Indoor Waterpark Resort in Sandusky, Ohio

Registration is Open! Visit our website at http://www.ugo.unschoolgathering.com/

Fun abounds in this week-long gathering of unschoolers at the world’s largest indoor waterpark!  Our 2010 UWWG is bigger and better than last year – we’ve doubled the size of the conference area.  More room for Funshops, Talks and Special Events!

And…  guess what?

NO Registration or Conference Fees!

That’s right – all you pay for is your room registration – at our group’s super discounted room rates – and your family receives a week of waterpark fun and unschooling camaraderie!

In addition to John Taylor Gatto, this year’s UWWG features some of the best unschooling voices around:

·        Ben & Kelly Lovejoy
·        Gail & Broc Higgins
·        Dayna Martin
·        Heather Burditt & T.J. Phillips
·        And more

Stay in Touch and Learn More by joining our yahoo discussion group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UWWG/join.

Ask questions, share plans, get excited!

2009 Getaway Stone Mountain Georgia

The School’s Out Forever Homeschool Getaway

October 8-11, 2009

Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta Georgia

We invite all homeschoolers, who have left school and the idea of school in the past, to join us for an exciting, family supported getaway at the beautiful Stone Mountain Park, in Atlanta Georgia.  Are you and your family moving forward to create a new path?  Come join us and others on this same journey.

and last but not least the one we are making it to this year:

Disneyland Homeschool Convention in Sept

This is in conjunction with Disney Youth Education Series classes. Click the link for more info.

Wherever you choose to go, just GO! Get some support, make new friends and enjoy your homeschooling freedom!

Disneyland Homeschool Convention in Sept

Just booked us! WOOHOO! So excited to be staying at the Grand California. I have ALWAYS wanted to. We went to this two years ago and it was by far one of our favorite homeschool experiences ever. This is the last year they plan to organize it so go if you can! My kids LOVED taking classes from the Disney staff!

Join thousands of homeschoolers at the Not Back to School Days Rally and Conference as we celebrate our freedom to homeschool, network with new friends, and be examples for the growth of homeschooling! This conference will be held September 14-17, 2009 at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

WHAT IS THIS?

FIELD TRIP: Kids ages 8 and up can take a Y.E.S. (Youth in Education Series) class, taught in the theme parks by Disney staff. These can only be reserved in advance through a booked group, no walk up registrations for YES classes.

CONFERENCE: Exhibit hall and workshops – a carefully selected program, with something for everyone. Walk up registrations welcome, advance registration appreciated.

RALLY: Celebrate our freedom to educate our children as we feel best. Cheer with special guests who are homeschoolers and work hard to preserve your rights.

NETWORK: This is a priority with our organizers, so expect to meet new friends as you interact in scheduled group activities. Talent show, homecoming dance, more.

VACATION: You won’t find a less expensive trip to Disneyland, from the park hoppers to the hotel rooms, seriously. Your family will thank you over and over again. Send them off to the theme parks, while you soak up some conference action – it’s a win, win solution to past dilemmas of what to do with the kids. Bring the skeptical inlaws – they will get a first hand glimpse of the benefits of homeschooling.

There is so much to do, just download the updated complete conference packet and see for yourself – most of your questions can be answered in the packet: www.notbacktoschooldays.com

Walk up rates are now in effect, but we have added more vendors and more classes, so for those who have procrastinated, here’s a 5-day coupon to save 50% on your conference passes – put in code LATE3 at the bottom of the first page of registration. The coupon will expire on July 24th.

Membership in the sponsoring organization is not required to attend this conference, it is open to all home educators, and especially inquisitive and skeptical inlaws and neighbors. Bring them and show the real fruits of freedom in education!

Hope to see you!
Contact (not me!): Dianne McLean
fieldtrips@sw-home-edu.com

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

We just got back from watching this as a family. We don’t go to the movies much anymore because of the cost but with the long weekend, we went as a special treat. All of us are big fans of the first one. It is one of those movies that we could watch over and over again. There is just something that appeals to all of us. For me, it is the historical characters that come to life for the kids. Now, I am not saying that this movie is incredibly historically accurate. What I am saying is that anytime my kids think of Easter Island, they know right away what the statues look like (and of course say, “You bring me gum gum, dumb dumb?). But, nonetheless they know what Easter Island is. The first movie brought to life Christopher Columbus, Attila the Hun, and a host of other historical figures. I wish that I had taken some time prior to going today though to do some research on the historical figures in Battle of the Smithsonian.

Some were obvious and needed no introduction to the kids, Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, and Amelia Earhart. But there were some people and objects that if the kids would have more background information on it might have added to their enjoyment.

Below is a list of what I wish I would have pre-taught so that maybe you can be more prepared than me:

The Thinker by Rodin- the boys have been doing this little “UH, UH, Fire Power” all week (think gun show with the arms). It comes from a part in the movie when The Thinker gets up and does a ‘gun show’. They probably would have understood the sarcasm of The Thinker being portrayed as a dumb jock if they knew more about the subject.

Al Capone-My boys don’t know much about the Italian Mafia. They really had a hard time understanding any of the parts with them.

Napoleon-Great reference in the movie to what a Napoleon complex is. Boys will probably easily remember now what that phrase means.

Ivan the Terrible-even though he is a central character in the movie, it does a poor job of explaining who he is.

Tuskegee Airmen-Surprisingly my oldest was able to tell us all about them. He learned about them on a late night history channel show. Who says letting your kids stay up and watch tv is a bad thing?

General Custer-specifically on him you want your kids to understand his Last Stand and why he may not have made the wisest battle decisions. The movie does a bit of spoofing on this and there is a part where he talks about his ‘big mistake’.

I am all about finding those teachable moments and while this movie probably won’t win any Oscars, it is a great way to introduce the kids to some historical characters. With a little bit of knowledge from the above list, you may provide them with a frame of reference to make it all that more enjoyable.

I am sure that I probably left out quite a few characters so if you think of any, leave me a comment and I will try to add them.

*Most pictures in this post came from Wikipedia and are common use.

Young Scientist Challenge Entries

Passing on a great opportunity for your kids to shine:

The Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the premier national science competition for students in grades 5 through 8, is now open for entries – and the deadline is fast approaching. Students must complete a video entry about the “Science of Everyday Life” and submit it online before May 20th, 2009*.
The top 10 students in the country will each win a series of prizes, including $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to the competition finals in New York City this fall.

The winning student will receive $50,000 in U.S. savings bonds and be named America’s Top Young Scientist.

The Great American Road Trip Casting

This seems so ideal for a homeschooling family to get involved in. It sounds like an absolutely blast. Wish we qualified but since we don’t I hope one of you will!

NBC’s New Hit Summer Show “The Great American Road Trip” is now scouring the country for seven great families!

Each Chosen Family will drive from the East Coast to the West Coast for as long as 5 weeks in a motor home supplied by NBC. Along the way each family will compete against the other families in fun, unique challenges.

Each Family will recieve a stipend of two thousand dollars per week of participation. Major Grand Prize for the Winning Family! Tutors will be supplied for school aged children.

Each family considered should have at least 2 kids between the ages of 11 – 16.

Families must be available from mid-May through June 2009.

To apply please send an email ASAP to TheCastingGroupInc@yahoo.com

Music Ace Deluxe

As you all know, my kids love music. My oldest plays the guitar and my youngest is a walking dictionary of classic rock (ugh, am I that old that Bon Jovi is classic?). Since my youngest has very poor fine motor skills though due to both of his disabilities (spina bifida and autism) it has been hard to really teach him an instrument. But, he is very interested. So, when I was contacted by a very nice PR rep for Harmonic Vision and asked to try Music Ace Deluxe I was thrilled. Harmonic Vision claims:

“This interactive program gives homeschooling parents a fun way to bring music into their kid’s (aged 6+) lives. The game-type Windows and Mac-compatible CD-ROM features 36 self-paced lessons shored up by games that introduce kids to the basics of music — rhythm, pitch, note reading, listening and the keyboard — while entertaining them at the same time.”

and it certainly delivers. My youngest (10) and I sat down to do a few lessons together before I turned him loose on it alone. He seemed to really benefit from the visual clues given in the pitch lessons. And even I learned some new terminology. Maestro Max (the animated teacher) provides a fun and non threatening way for everyone to learn music theory.

So, would I recommend this? Absolutely! Music Ace Deluxe is available directly from Harmonic Vision, http://www.harmonicvision.com for the MSRP of $79.95. More importantly, it is available from other sources such as http://www.amazon.com and http://www.jr.com/ for between $45 and $50. Also, a Homeschool Instructional Guide is available for download at no charge from the Harmonic Vision website for owners of Music Ace Deluxe. I love it when companies realize the power of the homeschool community and provide products tailored to our needs!

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