TOS Review Virtual Nerd

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For the next review we were asked to review Virtual Nerd.  I had never heard of this website before and couldn't wait to go and look at it.  


From their website:
"Virtual Nerd is a unique, online resource offering students real help in math and science. Students get the essential benefits of private tutoring and access to over a thousand interactive step-by-step video tutorials presented in our patent-pending Dynamic Whiteboard™."

Basically that means that there are videos that explain Math Concepts!  No, let me rephrase that.  There a tons of awesome videos that spell out Math Concepts so that kids understand them.  And if they don't, there are more videos that break it down even further.

Yeah, it's that cool!

We waited for a bit to start using it because the daughter that I wanted to use this had to get through her last year's Math book (don't ask, please) since the Virtual Nerd starts at Pre-Algebra and I didn't want to confuse her further.  I so wish she would have been on track and then we could have used these even more.   I watched them myself and found the explanations to be simple and very clear.

This is how the videos actually look.  There are three explanations going on at the same time to help all different kinds of learners.

This would be a great tool to use when your student is having trouble with a topic to just give another explanation and point of view.  I can see it really helping a student out of a tough spot.  This could definitely do the trick!

This is the Drilling Down they talk about when a student needs simpler explanations.

The pricing for Virtual Nerd is varied.  This page helps explain the different options but the basics are:  Monthly for $49.  There are other options like a 1 day enrollment for $5.  Please visit this page to see all the advantages and pricing options .  This FAQ page is full of information about what Virtual Nerd is and does.

For our family, I find that the monthly fee is a little steep but the 1 Day Option or 1 Week option would be totally do-able and a great option to get us out of a jam.  I did find that the talking in the videos was a little fast and sometimes we had to watch the videos over again to fully understand the concepts.  With that being said, watching the videos as many times as you want is not problem.  They are available whenever you want to watch them, however many times you need to.



Virtual Nerd is an innovative way to present Math to your students.  It is a great tool that could really benefit your family.  If you want to find out what other Crew Members thought head on over to the Crew Blog and check them out.



**I was given this subscription to Virtual Nerd through The Crew in exchange for my honest opinion.

TOS Review See N Read

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This time around The Crew I was asked to review a product that I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt we would love.  Okay, okay I just really thought we would; but I was pretty sure!  Mostly it was for my 11yo daughter but I can see its uses for all the kids and even for myself.

What is this product you ask?  Well, let me tell you...



Still don't know what it is?  That's alright because I had never heard of them either.  But if you have someone that struggles with reading or does a bunch of reading on the computer, you will want to read on!

Here is what their website says:

See-N-Read® is a practical reading intervention tool....designed to help readers seamlessly see, focus, and remember what they read. It reduces word- and line-skipping and pattern glare.

See: See-N-Read® helps readers to concentrate on and track the text being read while smoothly transitioning between the words that come before or after, thus helping readers to increase their fluency (the capacity to read text accurately and quickly) and comprehension.

Focus: See-N-Read’s clear reading window is surrounded by a non-glare tinted transparent finish that helps readers to focus on manageable “chunks” of information in each line of text.

Remember: See-N-Read® provides readers with a clear reference point that helps control smooth eye movements across the text on a page. Smooth eye movement from left to right and smooth transitions from line to line ("sweeping") enhance retention of information.

See-N-Read’s flexible material makes it easy for readers, young and old, to hold and use it as they read.
 

Here is a picture of what it looks like.

Now, for my take on it.  I love it!  Really.  We have tried so many different versions of this same thing that we could start a support group.  We have tried the colored ones, the fat ones, the skinny ones, well you get my point.  None of them worked.  At least not well.  My daughter would use it but the color would be distracting or they would be too small and she had to move it to see where she needed to move it to.  She would become frustrated quickly and soon abandon them.  She has eye teaming problems and reading is very frustrating for her so we are constantly looking for things to help ease that frustration.

Needless to say that when I was assigned to this review and the product came in the mail, she was not thrilled!  She was a good sport and gave it a try, though.  At first she tried out the See N Read Clear Bar Reading Tool document size and thought it was pretty cool. (They also have a book size that we didn't review but would be pretty cool!)  She noted the way that she could see the writing through the whole thing and so she didn't have to move it to find the next line.  The color muted the rest of the page enough that she wasn't distracted yet light enough she kept her place easily.  She quickly walked away with it and didn't bring it back!

Next, I handed her the Memory Mark See N Read Reading Tool and she just looked at it like it was an alien.  I explained that the part that was cut out was so that she could highlight or underline without moving the tool.  Thus, she wouldn't lose her place and time trying to find it over and over again.  She squealed and ran off with it.  I haven't seen it since! **I did confiscate it for a little while so I could try it out and I think this one is my favorite one!**

I waited a while to show her the eSee N Read electronic reading tool.  I used it and messed around with it before I showed it to her.  I knew that it would be a big hint since we use the computer to read very often. I even loved it!  It just super-imposes over the computer screen and tints all but the reading bar a light gray.  It is a soothing, simple color that doesn't get in the way and cuts down on the distractions on the screen.  This could save my eyes after reading on screen for a while.  It has helped already by easing the stark glare of the screen.  I can even see its uses for my husband at his work. 

The down side would be that it is losable (is that a word? lol).  That isn't necessarily a failing of the product just the nature of small things in general!  With the pricing of these tools, I would think of buying several to have as spares so that we would never be without them.  There are many options in pricing, you could buy in bulk or just individually.  If you buy a 10 pack it is $27.99 or singly for $2.99 for the Book size.  Pricing for the Document Size is a little different but this page spells it all out.  The Memory Mark pricing is much the same way and can be viewed here.  The pricing for the eSee N Read is listed here at $29.99 and is compatable with Windows OS but Mac is coming soon!  The list of computer requirements are spelled out so you can be sure it will work for you.  They also offer multi-user lisences for educational or business purposes upon request. 

We have thoroughly enjoyed using this product and I fully intend on buying more to have as back-ups!  If you want to know what other Crew Members are saying about this product, head on over to The Crew Blog and check 'em out!




**I was given this program to review in exchange for my honest opinion through The TOS Crew.

New Recipe

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I found this recipe on Raising Olives and gave it a try.  I didn't believe that it could be as good as everyone was saying...boy was I wrong.  These are better than that.  Seriously.  And they are super easy.  Really!

I have made these as rolls, buns, large rolls and am going to try them as hot dog buns next week.  They are that yummy.

Here is the recipe:

Hamburger Buns in 30 minutes:
3 1/2 cups warm water
1 cup oil
3/4 cup sugar or 1/2 cup honey
6 T. active dry yeast
1 T. salt
3 eggs, beaten
10 1/2 cups white or wheat flour (For company we usually use 4 cups wheat to 6 bread flour then add bread flour as needed, but this is wonderful with all whole wheat.)
Mix first 4 ingredients and let rest for 15 minutes. It should get sponge and get bubbly. Add remaining ingredients. Mix, then knead for 5 minutes. Preheat oven to 425. Roll out to 1/2″ thick. Shape immediately. I use the ring from a wide mouth canning jar for hamburger buns. You could also make child size buns. Let rise for 10 minutes. Bake for 10 minutes or until done.

Before cooking

These were the first ones we made as rolls.  The next set we cut bigger and thicker.

This recipe is so worth trying at least once.  Steven has been having all kinds of sandwiches on them and I have used them in a breakfast sandwich.  I'm not sure how they will freeze but we haven't had to worry about it yet...they are disappearing as fast as I can make them!

Enjoy!

Oops, I forgot these

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 I forgot to post the pictures of the new coffee mugs my family got me.  How could I do that?  They are so important and beautiful!

Steven and I found these and thought they were cute.

Then we saw this and had to get them!

Our new To Go cups.  They look disposable but are re-usable.  Way cool!

I think that's it for this one.  heehee

Catching up with Pictures!

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 I have finally got some Christmas pictures to post!

Our tree(and the dog's behind)before presents were wrapped.

The gingerbread house that I refuse to do with them! They did better w/o me!!

I have had this ornament since 1976.  I love it!

A new ornament made by one of the kiddos.

Yes, we get our dog Christmas presents.  Mostly bones, but still!

Why are they sad?  Bc we gave them coal in their stockings! roflol Don't get too sad for them, it was chocolate!!

Her first present from her parents...

She may look unhappy but really...

She was bawling.  She was so happy she cried.  A lot!

A new 'big girl' suitcase.  She was pleased!

A surprise bedding set!  heehee (that was on sale!)

A real watch for the grown up girl.

It was such a low key, low budget Christmas and we loved it more than if we had spent oodles of money.  Next year we may work on getting even less and donating more.

A week? Wow!

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I haven't posted in a week.  huh  Really?  Wow!

I guess it's because of the changes that I was talking a while back that was terrifying?  It looks like it is coming soon.  God seems to be moving and we are praying for Him to work His will in this situation and to show us the path we need to take.  It is awe inspiring to even be asked.  Truly.

We also had another Christmas last Saturday.  My family all came over and we had a great time.  We had food, presents, and laughter.

Then, my second oldest had the stomach flu.  She, and I, were up all night Sunday night while she was throwing her guts up.  It was ugly and I don't think I will be eating popcorn again anytime soon!  Finally today she is starting to feel better.

Now, it is my turn to crash.  I had my calcium checked today because I am having some symptoms.  Not many but I wanted to get a jump on it and not let it get too low.

School is going to wait to start until next week while we get some things in order and make some planning/changes-tentatively. lol

I think that is enough for now...don't you think? ;-D