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This Math supplement provides 10 questions (which should take approximately 7 to 10 minutes) each day which are read aloud by the parent/teacher and computed mentally by the student who writes only the answer on paper. The questions should be helpful in introducing students to the language and vocabulary used on standardized tests, gaining confidence and practice in mental computation and allows the parent/teacher to quickly (and regularly) evaluate the student's progress (this might be especially useful for students who do much of their Math work independently). We also found that these problems make a good opportunity for working on following directions.

This second grade book begins with 15 review lessons of five problems each. The students then begin sets of the normal 10 problems which cover material such as writing numbers in standard or expanded form, determining the next number in a pattern, values of greater than or less than, and determining whether a number is even or odd. Later problems in this volume involve simple computation (addition and subtraction), money and time problems, days of the week, months of the year, simple fractions and place value. The answer is included in parentheses after each problem. Also included in the book are an extensive glossary and ideas for implementing a incentive/reward system (probably more appropriate for the classroom than a homeschool situation).

We've used this book for several months and I've found it to be a helpful supplement for my second grade daughter. Because of it's simplicity, it would also make a good choice for those who homeschool "part-time" (i.e.supplement their child's education at home).

Sample problems (selected from throughout the book) include: Write the number 214 in expanded form. What comes next 33, 36, 39, _ ? What digit is in the ones place in the number 34? Write the number that has five hundreds, six tens and three ones. Decrease the tens place by one in the number 58. Is the number eight even or odd? Is the number 47 about 50 or about 40? Which is more: 301 or 311? Draw a circle. Shade one half of it. Which is less: two tens or three tens? Which is more: three dimes or one quarter?

Summer is here and it is baseball season. What better way to get in the mood than by reading an uplifting story about the real winning spirit of baseball, or for that matter, any team sport.

Michael’s Golden Rules written by Deloris Jordan and Roslyn M. Jordan, the mother and sister of Michael Jordan, is a story about developing a winning attitude, hard work, and playing “a good game.”

After Jonathan strikes out, he is taken aback when his best friend’s Uncle Jack says they played “a good game.”

“How could we have played a good game when we lost?” he wants to know.

Uncle Jack promises to explain the “ten golden rules of baseball.”

With one more game to go, the Badgers could use some golden rules, especially Jonathan, who feels like anything but a winner. If the team wins, they will make it to the Little League play-offs. But they need to “play like a team.” Can they do it?

There is a lot to like about this colorful picture book. “The ten golden rules” are not a magic formula for success. They don’t work unless they are put into practice. One of the best things about them is that they put people first. In other words, being kind to others is more important than revenge or winning the game.

Another strong point of this story is that it does not give children false notions, such as if you dream it, it can happen. Sitting around and day-dreaming without hard work, persevering effort, and practice, practice, practice, besides not knowing your strengths and weakness, so you don't know what skills to practice on, does not create a baseball star or any kind of super athlete. In the end, Jonathan learns that it can be fun to play like a winner and that practicing makes a big difference.

Michael Jordan wrote the introduction and talks about how the principles of this story applied to his own experiences of playing baseball in his youth.

His mother’s dedication is also inspiring to read.

The illustrations by Kadir Nelson, a personal favorite, are bold, colorful and engaging. They truly capture the spirit of the game. His depictions of children always express the joy and wonder of youth.

Miquon Math is a series of 6 math workbooks designed to be used in 1st through 3rd grade. They are named by color and not by grade level, so that an older child can use them without feeling they are "remedial". The workbooks are designed to be used with Cuisenaire Rods. I have had the books for a couple of years but have only started using them this year as a supplement for my 3rd and 4th graders. I hesitated using them before because they have an unusual format -- the pages don't necessarily have to be done in order, and are grouped by topic rather than in sequential chapters. Multiplication is introduced along with addition in first grade, and advanced concepts such as squared numbers and pre-algebra are introduced through use of concrete manipulatives. However, my 3rd grader now says she "loves this kind of math" and both the children have shown a better grasp of what numbers mean since they have started using the books. We've discovered that when the manipulatives come out and are used to illustrate concepts, the "littlies" want to join in. My 5yo was watching carefully as my 8yo tried to figure out the square of 4, and suddenly announced "It's 16!" He was so proud of himself!
I have ordered the Orange Book (the first one in the series) to start with my almost 6 year old. After completing the Miquon Series, a child can go straight into Saxon Math 54 or 65.

The author of the popular Miserly Moms, a guide for frugal family living, has done it again! Jonni McCoy has written a stand-alone but complementary book that helps families to enjoy well-prepared, nutritious meals while keeping their grocery expenditures under control. Most homeschooling families live on one income, and we need all the help that we can get in controlling our expenses; this cookbook can help us to do just that.

Each of the more than 200 recipes includes a full nutritional analysis, a cost-per-serving analysis, a "Kitchen Tip", and both preparation and cooking time estimates. Recipe categories include a full range of choices from Appetizers to Vegetarian Main Dishes to Slow Cooking to Desserts and Snacks. The recipes are easy to follow, instruction and ingredient lists are clear, and no special ingredients, appliances, or techniques are required. Why not serve Boston Chicken with Oven-Roasted Vegetables for $1.25 per person tonight? Or consider Ultra Chocolate Muffins with Raspberry Butter for $0.17 each in the morning? You can invite your dearest friend over for Lemon Cheesecake and Russian Tea for just $0.54 per serving. What possibilities!

Most people think that frugal meals must be high in carbohydrates and fat and low in protein, but that is not the case with the wonderful recipes in this book. My own family has several dietary restrictions, and there are numerous recipes that are tasty, nutritious, AND meet our needs. This new cookbook may be just what you need to bring some excitement back to family meals and meal preparation time. At the same time, you will be able to keep your food budget under control, leaving a little more to put into your book budget!