Salem Ridge Press~ A Review

Salem Ridge Press, a company founded in 2005 by Daniel Mills, specializes in quality, classic children's books of the 1800 and 1900's.  The company chooses books that teach godly character and high moral values.  The books are printed on acid free, archival quality paper so you can enjoy them for years to come.  In keeping with their company's desire to present quality books with a high moral tone, some books will contain minor changes.  You will find no kissing or offensive language.

I was given three books from Salem Ridge Press to read in exchange for my truthful review.  This review is not meant to be a book report of the three books I was given, rather it is meant to be a review of Salem Ridge Press based upon those book selections.

The following are the books I read:

Two of the above texts I read were in e-book form, the other (Dearer Than Life) was paper back.  Dearer Than Life was beautifully bound- sturdy with nice binding.  The physical books include historical notes, along with a list of important dates.  Some books include timelines as well.  There are several beautiful black and white pencil drawings throughout.  What I appreciate so much about these books, is that Daniel Mills has included definitions of the more difficult, unfamiliar words on the bottoms of many pages.   I want my children to read these excellent literary sources, and considering they often contain lesser known words, these definitions are a great aid.  My 13 year old daughter is currently reading Dearer Than Life (and loving it!)- and she is very much appreciating the definitions.  

I LOVE what this company stands for!  I love the subjects, content, writing style, and physical quality of these books!  I am absolutely planning to purchase from this company~ beginning with the Emma Leslie Church History Series. (Click HERE to read why Salem Ridge Press believes church history is so important.)  After reading Dearer Than Life and The Captives, I feel as though Emma Lesle is now a dear friend!  I honestly could not put these books-  or the computer down.  The Sign Above the Door by William W. Canfield was just as wonderfully written.  (Though I would caution this book is for the older more mature, due to its content.  It contains kidnapping and murder).  

The books can be purchased in both hardback and paper back.  The prices are very competitive with what you would expect to pay for them in a book store.  BUT you will not find these wonderful classics in your local bookstore!
The prices run from $12.95-$26.95.   Most of the softcover books are either $12.95 or $14.95.  The hardcover run about $22.95 or $24.95.   (Some are available only in soft cover).

My goal is to purchase each book, one by one.  I found all three of the above books to be that wonderful.   Please visit Salem Ridge Press.  You can read the first chapter of each book online.  I KNOW you will be impressed!  

READ MORE REVIEWS FROM THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE CREW  HERE

A New School Year Begins

We started school two days ago.  This was unusually late for us, but we decided to start when the Michigan public schools did.  This is our tenth year homeschooling, so it is not new to us, but I was wondering how this year would go with a 2.5 yr. old in the mix.   You know how 2.5 yr. olds can be.  They do things like this when brother or sister leaves his/her plate of sour cream within reach......

So needless to say, I was a bit terrified concerned as to how this year was going to go.  But the past three days have shown me it is going to be a much better year than I had hoped.   

I love the summer and its freedom, but I look forward to the schedule of school- the books and learning, and the atmosphere it creates in our home.  

Some photos of our first day of school:

The kids awake the first day of school to a special breakfast and some little surprises.

Andrew working on Abeka Letters and Sounds

Rachel doing Algebra

Samuel working on his pre-algebra 

(I know he would love this picture from his sister's pink room)

A typical library visit for us.  

However your kids are schooled, I hope you have a truly wonderful school year with many special memories.  

MathTutorDVD.com- A Review

Most people fear math.  If you or your child are among them,  please read the following reviews and be sure to check out the MathTutorDVD.com video series by Jason Gibson.

I was given a free DVD of both The Pre-Algebra Tutor Volume 1 as well as The Texas Instruments TI-83/TI-84 Calculator Tutor  from MathTutorDVD.com in exchange for my truthful review. The following is my review of both DVD's.  


I watched the entire Pre-Algebra Volume 1 DVD set, which is 5 hours of instruction on two DVD's.  My children watched some of the series and worked through the problems with Jason on the video.

THE TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE:

• Real Numbers
• The Number Line
• Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To
• Absolute Value and Adding Integers
• Subtracting Integers
• Multiplying Integers
• Dividing Integers
• Powers and Exponents
• Order of Operations

You can view a few samples of the DVD HERE (scroll down).  
I will list my Pros & Cons~ then share what my children thought.

PROS:

• Mr. Gibson explains in GREAT detail! He assumes you come with no knowledge.
• Simple, no crazy graphics or music~ just him and a white board.
• Easy to follow.  He speaks in a calm, easy to follow manner.
• Good for kids who need more explanation and detail.
• Shows many examples for EACH problem.
• Constantly reassures the listener that math is NOT difficult~ just different.
• Obviously being a DVD, you can pause, fast forward, etc. 
• It is obvious he knows math.

CONS:

• Mr. Gibson explains in GREAT detail!  Yes, you saw this above as a Pro.  That is because it depends on the type of learner your child is. 
• You must wait for him to write everything~ unlike a computerized white board where it just appears.

WHAT MY CHILDREN SAID:


My children (grade 7 and 8) enjoyed the videos.  They already knew the material covered, but could see the value of watching if the material were new or difficult to you.  Both agreed Mr. Gibson explains so well, and uses so many examples that you can't help but learn the concept.  I should mention my children are "to the point" kids.  They really prefer to read the text on their own.  Neither of them  enjoy teaching videos.  They tend to get frustrated when they know the material yet the teacher continues to explain it.  This was their main complaint with the Pre-Algebra Tutor.  (On a side note, they did mention the fact that he often smacks his lips, but who doesn't do some behavior such as this when speaking....)  :)

OVERALL: 
I think Mr. Gibson does an amazing job with a topic most people shy away from.  You definitely will feel more confident about your math ability after completing one of his courses.  I realize we are all different, but nothing about his mannerism annoyed me- which is often the case when I watch teaching videos.  I did tend to think he explained some things in TOO much detail, but that might be perfect for your child.
  I absolutely think the DVD is worth its price of $26.99.

EXCEPTIONAL DEAL:
Honestly, I had to read this twice when I received my DVD from Mr. Gibson.  MathTutorDVD.com has an online subscription program.  For $19.95 per month you can watch ALL the courses right on your computer!  This means your younger child can watch Basic Math while an older child is watching Algebra I or perhaps Geometry!  It really is an amazing deal.
READ ABOUT THE ONLINE PROGRAM HERE  (THE PROGRAM INCLUDES DISCUSSION FORUMS AS WELL AS DISCOUNTS FOR MEMBERS!)

I encourage you to browse MathTutorDVD.com's website to see the Many selections available.

Click HERE if you would like to know more about Jason Gibson, the founder/teacher.

The Texas Instruments TI-83/TI-84 Calculator Tutor 
I have never used a scientific calculator.  Ever.  That fact alone has disturbed me greatly as my daughter will be starting Algebra II next year. I can do Algebra.  I am good at figuring out most things.  But a scientific calculator?  I really love to read, but NOT one of those calculator manuals!!  No thank you!

I was given a precious jewel in the gift of this tutorial dvd!  Please do yourself a favor and purchase this DVD!  To be honest, watching this DVD made my daughter and I (8th grade) eager to purchase the Texas TI-84 calculator- just to practice along with the video!  

Click HERE and scroll down to see a DVD sample.
What you see on the screen is a scientific calculator.  A computerized arrow points out each area of the calculator as Mr. Gibson explains its function or detail.  It is completely easy to follow along.  Mr. Gibson speaks in a calm voice at a natural pace.

As I stated earlier, we do not have a scientific calculator, but what speaks volumes for this DVD is that my daughter and I were quite engrossed in simply watching as the calculator's functions were displayed and explained.  If I had not been given this free copy in exchange for my review, I would without a doubt, purchase it!

Again, I love to read, but NOT manuals.  They are always confusing, hard to follow, and really long.  In fact, I recently purchased a Canon T2i dslr camera.  The manual was so unclear I ordered a DVD to clear things up.  I now understand the basics of my camera.  And I now have the tool I need to understand our next big school purchase-  that scientific calculator!

The total run time for this DVD is 8 hours.
List Price is $31.99 but if you order from Mathtutordvd.com you purchase for    $26.99


Click HERE to read more reviews of this product from the Homeschool Crew.