Time 4 Learning Review

I was first turned onto Time 4 Learning by my nephew who came to visit me for a few weeks last year.  With my daughter being in school and not having resources for a second grader, my sister gave me a few online resources to help.  Without arguing or bribing (who me?  never!) my nephew turned to his online work daily with absolutely no assistance from me and was pretty happy about it.  When our life changes came this year and i received an invitation to a free trail... awesome?!


"Time4Learning is a convenient, online homeschool curriculum that combines education with interactive fun. Animated lessons, interactive activities, printable worksheets and detailed reporting make the learning system a top selection of the Homeschool.com "Top 100 Educational Websites" list, year after year. " 

I found this to be true.   The lessons are presented in fun ways that kids enjoy.  Similar to Starfall's phonics, which i found to be great in short bursts for kids under 5, this program draws the child into tv wonderland and teaches lessons in LA, science, socials, and math.  Running Pre-K to 8 with a cost of $19.95 month, this program is a great addition to our learning life during the colder months of winter that keep us inside more than i'd like.


I would not use this program as the sole learning resource for my seven year old however.  I dislike seeing her sitting in front of the screen for anything longer than 30 minutes at a time.  The 'playground' games gave her more anxiety than they should have and frustrated her more than the learning ever would.  I found both the science and socials lessons fantastic!  And when she completed the lessons for level 2, she was able to go to level 3 and learn more.  We didn't do to much of the LA work, having some other preferred resources, but math offered a valuable new presentation of ideas.  Math is not my strong suit, so to have it presented in a different way, and on the computer, was a bit of a treat (for both daughter and i.)  That being said, it was also the subject she stumbled on the most here and needed me right beside her for.

All in all a valuable addition. Time 4 Learning will stay with us as we transition though this year and would also make a fantastic afterschool activity or summer learning 'treat' to keep the kids in the game.

Thanks for the opportunity to let me review.  All thoughts here are, of course, mine.  Mine mine mine!

(bird) Sanctuary

sanc·tu·ary

noun \ˈsaŋ(k)-chə-ˌwer-ē\

pluralsanc·tu·ar·ies

 

1: a consecrated place

2: a place of refuge and protection

 

Last year my in-laws moved out of their home of 30+ years, to a lovely townhouse 10.9km south.  Despite the close proximity to the old house, this new area they are in has many new lovely places i've never seen or explored.  George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary is one such place.  Thousands, 70,000 at count January 2012, of snow geese travel from Wrangel Island in Russia, make a few stops along the way, and then spending the winter in BC at the sanctuary... they put my family's migration to shame. 

 

Sadly, we did not check the tide charts on our trip there and when we arrived all the geese were out visiting sealife.  The grounds and walk and things to see were amazing even without the geese.  Signs to educate you on the ways and kinds of fowl were everywhere.  Great bird watching of course, and the birds were friendly enough to eat out of your hand.  Not my thing, but my dear mum-in--law and daughter could have spent the day acting as trees and enjoying the little chickadees that came around. 

 

On our trip home from the Sanctuary we stopped at the local library to find out where exactly Russia was, gather an idea on what 10,000s of something looked like, and find out why the snow geese had black tipped wings.  A journal entry was completed, detailing the afternoon, though most of it was focused on chickadees and what they liked to eat and the importance of being still while they visited.  We were pretty disappointed to miss seeing geese, not knowing about the role the tide plays... there is an awesome lesson in the future there.

 

The geese are causing quite a problem in areas, so much so there is call for a cull.  Though we didn't go into it in our lesson this time around, it'll make an interesting conversation and lead all over the place.. 

 

On a different line, if you get a chance to get out to the Bird Sanctuary, do stop in at one of the fantastic farmers stands along the way.  Westham Island Herb Farm is right there and deserves the stop, offering delicious CSA boxes.  Emma Lea Farms is right on the way as well, and they have ice cream!  And last that we experienced (though i'm sure there are others we missed) was Westham Island Estae Winery with award winning fruit wines and also dessert wines of course.  I don't care for the overly sweet, but the rhubarb strawberry was oh so good, and i would drive many miles out of the way for the black currant.  The sell cheese from local peeps as well.  Cheers!

 

 

This final picture was at the tip of the bird sanctuary--somewhere out there thousands of geese were feasting.  The peace in this photo i'd like to carry with me and taking a moment to thank our amazing family for providing us with sanctuary these past months.  Love you.

Migration

 

mi·grate

intransitive verb \ˈmī-ˌgrāt, mī-ˈ\

mi·grat·edmi·grat·ing

 

1: to move from one country, place, or locality to another

2: to pass usually periodically from one region or climate to another for feeding or breeding

3: to change position in an organism or substance <filarial worms migrate within the human body>

— mi·gra·tion \mī-ˈgrā-shən\noun

 

My family fits firmly under #1.  For, um, say the last forever.  Not that i'm complaining.  Quite the contrary; i love new places and people.  Roaming through three countries (yes, i do consider Puerto Rico a country... Hawaii too, but that's sure to start a riot and is not the best way to reintroduce myself) numerous states and provinces.  In the last decade and a half i've been a firm follower.  Even before  my daughter was born in '05 i spent my time following my partner to whatever job and place might provide us the best money and experience.  More on that later though...

 

Back to MIGRATION.  Our time in beautiful sunny San Diego came to a close in August '12.  We floated a couple months there, drained our resources, and then decided it was time to head back to our roots.  Our rainy snowy Canadian roots.  We've been floating between Brooks Alberta and both Ladner and Powell River in BC.  Thank goodness for family that loves us.  We're settling in Powell River for the next month or so, furthering education and soaking up the ocean which is walking distance.  It's a good place to be. 

 

With this much loved though somewhat transient lifestyle, it was never my intention to put my daughter into school, but rather do a mix of homeschooling/unschooling.  Then came the most amazing charter school.  Ever.  Complete with one of the best teachers i've ever had the pleasure of knowing (and having been in the system for 19+ years, both as student and teacher, that's saying something.)  I had the cake and icing these past two years.  Our kinder year we took advantage of the three day program our charter offered, and when our amazing teacher moved to grade 1 the following year, i was happy to enroll 5 days. 

 

Yes yes.  A lovely little story.  It's interesting to get so comfortable, knowing somewhere way far on the back burner that you won't stay forever.  Forever is a long time.

 

Yes.  MIGRATION.  Not only literally for my family, but returning to my original idea and idealism of homeschooling.  I won't lie... it's a tough transition for both me and my kid.  Thankfully, i have an extremely supportive family (my bff and sister in law is an amazing homeschooler to her 8 yr old son and has a hoarder's load of materials.)  I hope this blog will keep us accountable and uptodate for those who know me and how bloody distracted i get.  As mario would say.... "Here we gooooo."

 

 

 

Time4Learning

I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a homeschool curriculum, for afterschool enrichment and for summer skill sharpening. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.

Thomkins Square

One of the things i love about living in this area of Manhattan are the many parks. 4 within a five minute walk. And not little parks either... each has a toddler area, sprinklers, areas sectioned off for big swings and little swings. The entire area is gated with a sign that says adults only allowed when accompanied by a child--each morning when we are out we see park staff cleaning debris left there.

Thursday we went to Tompkins Square Park... i read the history; it is amazing. In the past, home of riots and homeless, now home to a dog run, jazz festival and drag show. What intrigued me most was the monument to the General Slocum boating disaster, June 15, 1904. Ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Slocum

It was the biggest lost of life on USA soil before Sept. 11, 2001. This area used to be called little Germany. A boat was rented ($350) to take the residents to a picnic. Because most of the men had to work, the majority of people were women, children, and upper class persons. 1300 people drowned when a fire started—children couldn’t swim, women wore fabulous but heavy clothes that prevented swimming. And little Germany was no more--wiped out from the loss.

Can you imagine?

Welcome!

Hello family and friends! Many amazing things going on-the coolest being our recent move into Manhattan. I hope this blog will keep you informed and I hope to post many pictures of Ocean Grace so you can see how she is growing!

Jay was extended until the end of August in New York City. Unfortunately, this means moving from our lovely and ethnically wonderful home (the owner works for the UN and was in Johannesburg teaching these past 5 months.) Since I have been without a car since we moved here, Jay decided to totally indulge me and move into Manhattan, where he will be commuting to White Plains in Westchester County. We found a place in the West Village, a mere mile from the Children's Museum of the Arts -- which I'm sure will turn into Ocean Grace's favorite place.

We received the pictures from the wedding and they can be viewed at: http://turnerwedding.myphotoalbum.com/ I uploaded the majority so there is lots!

Jay turned 33 last Monday. Yes, the same day we moved out of our place in New Rochelle and hiked our very heavy 6 suitcases and numerous plastic bags up to our 4th floor apartment. We have turned this into the birthday week to make up for it!

We look forward to heading back to California at the end of August and then taking a few weeks to travel through Alberta and BC... a bit of a road trip.

I hope all is well with you and yours. Much peace and many happy thoughts.