Our take on a Hawaiian Pizza

Download N Go:  Pizza Party by Amanda Bennett

Price= 7.95

**NOTE** there is a sale this weekend 9/4-9/5 on the DNG Pizza Party unit for only 5.00$

Sold at The Old Schoolhouse store

I had hesitated about the Download N Go Pizza Party unit study. We are a gluten free, casein free, soy free household. Pizza crust is one of those hard to find replacements. Thankfully I was encouraged to go for it. This unit turned into our all time (10 years of homeschooling worth) FAVORITE!

The week is set up like this:

Day 1: Pizza—What Is It?
Day 2: The Story of Pizza
Day 3: Types of Pizza
Day 4: The Science of Pizza
Day 5: Let’s Have a Pizza Party

This is not a unit study on pizza alone. There was quite a lot of information on Italy. Geographical, history, regional social studies, science, and health. By the

Part of the week's work!

end of the second day my kids were loving this unit. We ran our normal schedule in the morning and completed the work for that day. Then after lunch all the kids were back at the table asking for more. I made dinner whistling a happy tune, thrilled with the day. Then after dinner two of my kids were BACK at the table again asking for MORE!! Woo Hoo!

Overall I was very happy with the well rounded study and the breadth of knowledge we learned this week. The lapbook we did with it (included in the study) came out looking excellent. I appreciate the careful instructions for the lapbooks because I am all thumbs when it comes to lapbooks There was also a simple science experiment for the week. I loved it because it was a quick obvious result experiment. Some of our low attention or short term thinkers would love it.

We ended the week with a pizza party. It’s the right time of year so we canned pizza sauce. We had a wonderful pizza party that was totally allergen free! (I’ll be posting the recipes later) This was a fun week!

allergen free homemade pizza sauce

SURPRISE!! I am having a giveaway of 1 Pizza Party! Contest ends Sept. 8, 2010!

1. Leave a comment below.
**For extra entries, do one (or all) of the following:
2. Follow me on FaceBook at Special Needs Homeschooling (if you are already like it let me know, that counts
3. FaceBook about the giveaway.
4. Tweet about the giveaway.
5. Like Download N Go (if you are already like it let me know, that counts

If you would like to see other reviews and how other families used this unit study, you can find them HERE.

*NOTE* I was given this study for free to review and give my honest opinion.

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The rest of the article is on Homeschoolblogger.com the Company Porch.

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Time4Writing

Where: online course of study and writing with teacher support

Price: 8-week course 99$

My oldest (7th grade) was my cohort in the is review. I set her up with the Middle School Basic Mechanics course. She has struggled with dyslexia so I thought this would be a good time to be sure her basics are solid.

There are several other courses to chose from. The top levels are High School and College Prep courses, Middle School courses and Elementary courses. What you do is go to your account. There is a clearly laid out structure to follow and you work your way through the study, quiz the writing for the day. When you are done before the next day your assigned teacher will contact you. They can make suggestions, ask you to repeat for a better score, etc.

This is a very structured, time oriented course. You must do it everyday. We sadly did not and got behind. While our teacher was wonderful and kind about catching up my daughter never was able to. We generally are not a super structured schooling regiment. That said I still really liked this idea and course study.

When I asked my daughter about what she thought she said she liked the idea. She pointed out some of her favorite parts: the study portion, which included reading, had a audio option. She said if she is spending so much time focused on the writing she doesn’t want to sweat the reading. (smart kid:)  She didn’t like how unclear it was if she missed part of a study portion going back and forth to the work side of the site. I looked at that and I think a bit a clarity in the prompts would most likely clear that up.

Bella trying to work at the computer.

My recommendations are a bit mixed on this one. First this is a high quality, great idea of a product. My daughter gives it a thumbs up too. My one detracting thought here, if you are not a schedule oriented person. Meaning if you cannot make a place in your day, every day during the 8-week course to do the work than you will get behind. Once you are behind it is hard to catch up. If you are in a good groove and would like an extra hand or just a different voice giving input to your child on writing this is a great place to get just that!

Are you looking for other reviews of this and many other products? Try the Crew review blog!

Disclaimer: I was given this trail for free, so that I can review and provide my honest opinion on the product.

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Children that go to school are bombarded with tons of sensory input. Visually lots of different items on walls from lockers to posters. Smells good and bad permeate the school. Children of jostling each other constantly to go in and out of rooms. The entire school building is a nightmare to a sensory intense child or an anxious child. It is full of unexpected input.

At home we able to provide a structure and sameness that many of our children crave. Then we can hand pick social outings, friend play dates, and other social opportunities that would best provide our child with success. I do not believe that our children have to be awash in other kids to be able to socialize. Isn’t that the basis of ‘The Lord of the Flies’?  Instead we should be aiming at successful, real relationships!

If you were told everyday paint the ceiling, but never given paint, brushes, or the basics of how to paint wouldn’t you get frustrated? Eventually you might even give up. many of our children are facing just that problem. They can fake their way through early elementary but as 4th grade looms and now they need to take the next large step into learning, their foundations crack.

There is a spike of children that are brought home in the 4th-6th grade area (according to statistics compiled by LearningAbledKids). This is when a child is expected to move forward in math to multiplication, and division. Their reading goes from easy read and answer questions to read a chapter book, remembering over the long term and dissecting. Science becomes multi-step experimentation and memorization of fact and names. The entire atmosphere begins taking on urgency and to make matters worse socially middle school is an extreme pressure cooker.

Homeschooling allows us the chance to stop and find the base knowledge level of our child. Then we can begin giving them the tools to succeed. Giving them the time working on concepts until they have a working understanding of each step. Some children just need more time to process and solidify their learning before moving onto higher learning. Your learning journey proceeds at the best possible pace for your child’s abilities!

Homeschooling allows for plenty of family time. For my son words do not come easily. He struggles to talk and to find a way to express himself. He needs more reassurance than my other children. Once he began getting very upset and his words were “stuck”. We were out at a MOPS meeting and he was with the other children. I was later told by the teacher that my youngest looked at my son and ran over and said “G remember we love you! Hug me it helps!” What a wonderful testimony to the close knit relationship my children have developed.

Homeschooling is a wonderful option and I am so glad you are considering it. My prayers are with you and my support.

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There were a few perks to this box system that I didn’t realize at first.

~Each child no longer had to keep getting up and hunting down a lost pencil, book, etc during school time. This was a particular problem with my ADHD daughter. You would think she had jumping beans in her shorts!

~It was easier to see which child leaned towards messy or tidy in their materials. Then I could begin asking them to double check that things were put away “right” Which to me means without folds, bends, half hanging out of the box… you get the idea and so did they.

~ The best thing I found was when my lupus was flaring. I was tired and sick but I needed to set up the coming week’s assignments. My loving hubby carried in the boxes and I could easily lay on the couch while working on each child’s work for the week.

~Another good thing we found out about using boxes. When I needed to take my daughter to the ER everything in the box could easily go in a backpack, or we could just bring them along and work on them in the van.

Special needs does not mean big expensive curriculum or methods of teaching and therapy. Special needs may mean we need to think out of the box. Do what is best for OUR family. Sometimes the answer to your problem will come from a book, convention, or blog   More often than not it comes from you!

Listen to your gut! If you really think your child needs more time on multiplication but….she should be moving on because of her age… WAIT! Isn’t it better to wait and get it right than to push on and face frustration at not having a good foundation. Keep in mind that just because your child took 2 years to get colors, numbers to 10 and the alphabet that doesn’t mean your child won’t go faster for the next set of skills. Persistence and patience  are your best friend in homeschooling.

Stay strong! Make goals! Have fun! You can homeschool your child with special needs!

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This contest will end Sunday August 22, 2010 at 10 pm EST. Get in your entry and send out a Face Book status and/or Twitter it to get extra entries!!

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Heather is sad and overwhelmed!

How can she make her dreams for the coming school year come true?

The 2010 Schoolhouse Planner to the rescue!

Giving her the tools to organize and plan for her big dreams!

The 2010 Schoolhouse Planner is helping Heather

to plan the year around HER homeschooling style!

The 2010 Schoolhouse Planner (e-book) is only 39.00!

The 2010 Schoolhouse Planner is made by homeschooling parents for homeschooling parents. They understand that homeschooling is a lifestyle. This planner helps you organize and create a plan for your homeschooling!  It  also helps you with the household chores, cooking and cleaning organization! An organized home will be a happier home!

~Monthly calendar pages

~Book lists

~Daily and weekly schedule forms

~Bible memorization record

~Journal pages with space for drawings

~Letter writing tips list

~U.S. Presidents

~Scientists & their discoveries

And MANY more… 12 months of educational ideas, tips, forms and articles to encourage and enrich your homeschooling!

Looking for chore charts, recipes (even gluten free recipes!!) grocery lists! The 2010 Schoolhouse Planner is an whole family planner!

~Family Computer Schedule
~Daily To-Do List
~Menu planners (monthly or weekly)
~Chore charts (with and without pictures)
~Family Budget

The 2010 Schoolhouse Planner has not forgotten the most important aspect of leading a family!

~ Prayer Journal

~Bible Schedules

The 2010 Schoolhouse Planner 600+ pages of organizational help at your fingertips for only 39.00!

Taking your homeschooling dreams and providing the organization and structure you need to make them REAL!

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As a recipient of this award, I have been asked to:

1. Thank the one who gave it to you and link to their blog.

2. Share seven things about yourself.

3. Choose seven others to bless with the award and let them know they’ve won an award.

Now on the scary part…. 7 things about me…

1. I was 13 points shy of the US Women’s Olympic Pistol Shooting Team. The year before Atlanta.

2. I was born in Amish country in northern Ohio.

3. I was in the Navy and stationed in Puerto Rico.

4. I play the flute, piccolo, piano, guitar, and some oboe.

5. I love to garden and pray every night for a one story home with land…wheelchair accessible please Lord.

6. All things coffee make me happy (ice cream, chocolate covered beans, various brews)

7. I am replenished, refreshed, and overjoyed with each and everyday the Lord blesses me with my WONDERFUL family!

Now the fun part!! 7 Lovely friends that deserve a blog award!

1. Betty at peacecreekontheprairie.com

2. Marcy at Ben and Me

3. Cathy at Created for Inspiration

4. Debra at Footprints in the Butter

5. Nancy at Lessons Learned on the Farm

6. Amy at Life: One magnolia scented bubble bath at a time

7. Bobbi at Snoodle.Doodles

Each of you ladies has brought a specialness to the blog-o-sphere for me. Thank you!!

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Middle school and the tween years.

We are often left with the impression that by the middle of elementary school all children with a special needs have been found and evaluated. Did you know that there is a surge of special needs children in the middle school years grades 4-8?

The rest of this article can be found at Homeschoolblogger.com Company Porch

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I will be reviewing Download N Go unit studies this year. Our first to work with was Roller Coasters What a great way to end the summer and work our way back into the swing of things!

Download N Go Roller Coasters by Amanda Bennett

Price= 7.95

Sold at The Old Schoolhouse store

Roller coasters!! Yeah what a great summer topic! I enjoy unit studies. I think they add spice to our workbook/text book based homeschooling style. In the past I would do long term unit studies, such as last year we did a unit on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.  Amanda’s Download N Go’s are short one week units.

Frankly I wondered how much information could be packed into one week. Happily quite a lot can be!

We started the unit study by watching the short videos that were linked in the study. The kids were giggling remembering roller coaster, and family vacations. There are print offs, links to material and videos, lists of books that complement the unit and structural outline to follow to get the most from the study. You can make a lapbook out of this but the kids decided not to this time. Instead I printed off the material. We would start in the morning watching or reading  the links provided. Then take the conversation to the dining room table and finish the work.

As for educational value… There was a large dose of fun physics,  geography, meteorology, grammar (adjectives work!), more! We were not able to get any of the additional books Amanda suggests since right in the middle of the unit one of my little ones needed to go to the hospital. I can see how the additional books would have made this better, but I don’t feel like we missed any important parts of the unit by sticking straight to the study.

I like this format and quick unit study. I could see adding this into your science studies when things are getting a bit stale. Also any one that wants to work on some physics, or geography in a non text but wonderful way would like this. It’s cheap, simple to get online and doesn’t clutter up over strained book shelves!

One note of warning or encouragement …This unit has encouraged my children to try to make roller coaster through out the house that do the wildest of moves based solely on gravity. FUN!!  But a bit of a mess.

If you would like to see other reviews and how other families used this unit study, you can find them HERE.

Silly me I forgot!! I get to GIVEAWAY a Roller Coaster Download N Go!!

1. Leave a comment below.
**For extra entries, do one (or all) of the following:
2. Follow me on FaceBook at Special Needs Homeschooling
3. FaceBook about the giveaway.
4. Tweet about the giveaway.
5. Like Download N Go

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