reading reviews Archives - Pea of Sweetness

Supplementing Our Homeschool with K5 Learning {Review}

June 6, 2017 by Emilee Evans

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information.
I don’t know about you, but I think extra practice in math and reading is always a good thing. We have been using the online program from K5 Learning to not only practice math and reading but spelling as well! They’ve been learning a few extra things as well!

For our K5 Learning review all three children (ages 11, 9, 7) have been using the online program. We access it on both a laptop and Nextbook running Windows 10 and using the Google Chrome browser. We have not had any issues accessing it.

What is K5 Learning?

The K5 online program is a supplemental program for not only homeschoolers but any child in Kindergarten-5th grade who needs extra practice! It is an account based program easily accessible online. It can be used for up to four children, and each child has their own log in. So there is nothing to download, and progress is saved online. It includes K5 Math, K5 Reading and K5 Spelling.
Although it is a supplemental program, it’s not simply a “sit down and practice” program. It definitely helps foster a sense of independence because it actually offers instruction as well. Lessons are short and interactive. They are fun, interesting and engaging.
Additionally, K5 Learning includes customized worksheets to take the learning offline. The worksheets are produced based on what your child is learning. It further reinforces key lessons and offers learning without the screen. This reduces arguing about who gets to use the computer right now as well!
K5 Learning Review - Worksheets

Assessments

One of my favorite aspects of K5 Learning are the Assessments. I am generally not one to focus on grade level as much as having the kids work wherever they are in each subject. That is what the K5 Learning Assessments are all about. How kids progress through K5 is based on the assessments. Children start right where they are rather than where their age or grade says they should be.
I am so glad they offer this option because, otherwise, my kids wouldn’t have started the program where they need to. Because of my kids’ special needs, they do have some learning challenges. My oldest (Autism spectrum) has a moderate reading delay but does very well in math. In fact, he tested a grade above in math! So he was able to start at a lower level in reading, but a higher level in math. My youngest son (Sensory Processing Disorder) has a slight reading delay but is on target for math, so he was able to start where needed as well.
My daughter’s assessment suggested she’s at a 5th Grade level for both subjects. So in her case, I’m glad she has been able to learn at a higher level. By “school age” she would be in 3rd Grade, but for curricula that is based on grade level she does 4th Grade work. I love that she doesn’t have to be held back.

Our K5 Learning Review

My kids have been enjoying K5 Learning. The short, interactive lessons keep their attention, and they have been both practicing as well as learning things. Spelling has been great for my older kids because it’s something I just don’t do enough of as it is. It’s really challenged them in a good way! This is one of those programs that I don’t have to beg them to do. They get online and do it independently.
What they are learning and practicing goes beyond just the basics. It’s not just reading. It’s inferences and comprehension as well. Math isn’t just numbers. It’s shapes and money as well. Even doing the worksheets has encouraged the kids to do more.
We did come across a couple of challenges, though. For example, my oldest (who has the moderate reading delay) does well in comprehension. So, the comprehension portion of reading would be at a higher level. It required reading at that level, though. So I would have to read with (or to) him so he could answer the questions. For math, the older two kids were working on things they’ve never learned. There was no way to go back or skip it from what I’ve seen. I’m not sure if this was a case of problems associated with Common Core because I try to avoid Common Core so it would make sense that they didn’t learn it if that is the case. Otherwise, it might just be above their level.
Regardless, we like K5 Learning and definitely plan to continue using it to supplement our homeschool.

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Members of the Homeschool Review Crew have been using the K5 Learning online program with their children of various ages/grade levels. See what they thought in their K5 Learning review by clicking on the banner below!

Ultimate Phonics Reading Program Review

September 28, 2016 by Emilee Evans

Learning to read hasn’t come easy here in our house. With our kids’ special needs and developmental delays, there have been some challenges in this process. My husband also has reading challenges and struggled quite a bit with reading growing up. That’s why I was so interested in checking out the Ultimate Phonics Reading Program from Spencer Learning.

Ultimate Phonics Reading Program is designed for both beginning readers as well as struggling readers of all ages. It is designed to improve not only reading but also comprehension and spelling as well. It teaches the foundation of reading and provides a lot of practice. Ultimate Phonics Reading Program has 262 lessons that cover 4,400 different words and 2,100 sentences total. It starts from a basic level to an advanced level. It is a 100% educational program in a form that isn’t flashy or distracting and is easy to use.
We have been using Ultimate Phonics Reading Program with both of our boys for our reading program review – a beginning reader (age 6) and a struggling reader (age 10). It’s a downloadable program with a license for use on multiple computers around your home. There are no logins or account information, and it can be accessed from any computer that has the program installed. It can be downloaded and used on any computer that is running Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP; or OSX 10.5.8 or higher on Mac Computers. We have been successfully using it on my Laptop running Windows 10.
Overall, the download didn’t take very long, and the program runs smoothly. Although it can be used by multiple children, if they are using it on the same computer, you will have to make note of where they are in the lesson. Unlike programs online where children have access to their own account and progress is saved, this program isn’t account based. Although it will start at the spot where a child left off, it does not save progress for multiple children. I simply make a note of what lesson each boy is in so we can pick up at the next lesson.

Although it is a progressive program, I opted to start our oldest son further in the program. It does start with the very basics of letter sounds, and although he is delayed, he is definitely beyond that stage. Our youngest, though, is a beginning reader, so I started him right at the beginning. There is additional information on how to use the lessons. It doesn’t have a student placement test, but it does have a reading test to determine whether or not your child could benefit from the program.
Our oldest son has been working on sentences while our youngest has been working on individual letter sounds and blending them into short words. The program is rather basic. The lessons are essential done through scrolling over letter sounds and words. With our youngest, I sit down with him and do the lessons with him (not for him), but our oldest does lessons on his own.

Ultimate Phonics Reading Program Review

I thought because this program is less flashy, it might be more ideal for our boys. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for our youngest. He has definitely done better with the “edutainment” programs. Our youngest was so put off by the monotone voice and basic lessons to the point that it was hard to get him to sit still for it. Plus, he didn’t really progress at all on his own. He required a lot of my assistance because there were just too many letter sounds at once.

Our oldest has done OK with this program. He says he does like that he is learning new words. My biggest concern for him is a lot of his reading struggles involve not reading sentences smoothly. For example, he reads each word individually and not like it’s part of a sentence. When he clicks on the speaker it does read the sentences as they should be said. It also allows him to scroll over each word individually, though. This is read in a monotone manner when scrolled over individually. I think it would be more helpful for it to highlight each word as the sentence is read rather than scrolling over each word individually.
Overall, I think Ultimate Phonics Reading Program can be a great resource for beginning and struggling readers. It could be used as a main program for beginning readers or a supplement for struggling readers. It is a supplement I am considering continuing with our oldest, but it just isn’t a good fit for our beginning reader. I truly believe each child has different learning preferences and there is no “one size fits all,” and that is definitely how I feel about this as well. If he’s not interested, he just doesn’t absorb any of what he’s been learning.

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Various members of the Homeschool Review Crew have shared their Ultimate Phonics Reading Program review as well. They’ve been using the program with children of multiple ages and abilities, so be sure to check out their reviews by clicking on the banner below!

Revisiting an Old Favorite in a New Way {ABeCeDarian Review}

July 14, 2016 by Emilee Evans

A few years ago we had the opportunity to share our ABeCeDarian review. ABeCeDarian Company offers a reading program that addresses the key areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency. It was a new way for us to learn reading, and I was recently considering starting it with our youngest (age 6). When I was introduced to the ABeCeDarian Interactive A Workbook I was excited to check it out with him!
In addition to now offering the Level A Workbook as an interactive digital resource the Teacher Manual – A is available as a digital version as well. It is a PDF download, so it could easily be viewed on your computer. I, personally, prefer to save PDF’s in iBooks on both my phone and iPad for easy access. I do still have the physical book, of course, but I find I much prefer the the digital download!

ABeCeDarian Interactive A Workbook

The ABeCeDarian Interactive Workbook is accessed online. We created a user account, and when we are logged into that account we can select the Interactive Workbook to get started. Because of this there is nothing to download.
We have found it does take a bit for the Interactive Workbook to load. It is completely normal to have a blank screen during that time. Shortly a loading page will come up and will load the workbook. Every time the Interactive Workbook is loaded it starts at the first page (the cover). Because of this, I found it’s a good idea to make note of where you left off. This will ensure you’re following the reading program as suggested. You can then click on the specific lesson you are on to continue.

To progress through the Interactive workbook we use my Windows laptop with touch screen. To advance pages, we simply click on the top right corner, and to go back we click on the bottom left. It is actually not that common for us to use the touch screen, so just that fact alone was fun for our son. I was also finding he just responds so much better to the digital version.

About the Reading Program

The ABeCeDarian Interactive A Workbook has been identical to the physical version up to this point. It takes a unique approach to learning to read. It really stresses the importance of letter sounds rather than the letter names, and I have found it’s much easier to teach this from the beginning rather than after they know and recognize all letters by name. It starts with simple three letter words and continues to build upon those same sounds while eventually progressing to new sounds.
Additionally, it does include the writing as well. The touch screen really comes in handy for this. I am unsure whether or not you could use it without the touch screen, but I imagine it would be difficult if so. The writing is the biggest difference I have seen as far as how Chaz does with the program. Due to his fine-motor delays holding a pencil is challenging for him. This has allowed him to still practice the letter strokes without a pencil. He simply uses his finger to trace and write them.

Occasionally, it will make a random mark or line. If that had been on paper, he would have gotten very upset. If it happens in the Interactive Workbook, though, he thinks it is hilarious. Sometimes it is just a random error from another part of the hand touching the screen, but sometimes it’s just due to his challenges. Regardless, I love that he is still enjoying it because that makes a big difference in his attitude toward learning to write!

Teacher Manual – A

The Teacher Manual offers a step by step guide on how to conduct the lessons. It really includes a lot of detail, and I definitely recommend reading the introduction before beginning the program. It not only breaks down each activity but also includes what you should say out loud and what to do when a mistake was made. This has helped to avoid the frustration!
Overall, I think ABeCeDarian is a great reading program. It worked well for our older children, and now it is working well for our youngest. He has really been recognizing the letter sounds he has already learned and is doing great with learning the new letter sounds. I was glad to see how quickly he picked up the word building activities. This is definitely a reading program where I sit down with him, of course, and he’s just been enjoying it overall!
Plus, the digital options really make it convenient. It can be accessed easily, and the fact that it’s interactive makes a great difference. He can trace and write his letters without the frustration caused by holding a pencil. He is still able to practice those letter strokes and build those skills along the way!

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Fellow members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew had the opportunity to review this great reading program as well! Check out their reviews by clicking on the banner below!

Reading Intervention {MaxScholar Review}

June 7, 2016 by Emilee Evans

Having a delayed reader, I am always on the lookout for helpful curricula and supplement programs. Generally our son does best with programs online. He is just more interested in them, and they keep him engaged, so I was glad for the opportunity to review MaxScholar which offers a variety of activities for students to improve reading skills with their MaxScholar Reading Intervention Programs.

The MaxScholar Reading Intervention Programs are online and can be accessed anywhere you have internet access. We have been using it on both a laptop with Windows 10 and desktop computer with Windows 10 using Google Chrome. Our oldest son (age 10) and our daughter (age 8). Although our daughter has caught up to her reading, it’s such an essential skill that it’s always good to learn and reinforce those skills.
For our review we have been using the MaxGuru, which contains multiple resources including:

All MaxPhonics
All MaxReading
All MaxWords
All MaxMusic
All MaxPlaces
All MaxBios
All MaxVocab

It’s really a lot of different options in one program!
Each child has their own unique account with login information. This definitely makes it easy when homeschooling multiple children because they can both do their work at the same time, and their progress and information is always saved.

MaxReading

To get started with MaxScholar both kids took a placement test for MaxReading. I’m honestly not sure how they decide where to start them, and I’m still a little unclear what the level equivalents are. Although we don’t focus too much on grade level, our children are currently working at an equivalent of the 3rd Grade level, though our son is reading more at a Kindergarten – 1st Grade level. Both of their placement tests started at a Level 7.
This was clearly too advanced for our son, and just a little advanced for our daughter. The reading placement test was, interestingly, more focused on comprehension. This is an area both children struggle in, so I was really glad it is an area they would be working on. Ultimately, our son was placed in Level 0, and our daughter was placed in Level 2. My biggest concern with the placement tests is I feel they didn’t get a lot of time “in the middle.” For example, if they couldn’t perform at a Level 7, they should have the option to test at the levels below it rather than just be dropped to a low level.
For the level 0 the Reading is simply looking at pictures and then answering comprehension questions regarding the picture. Again, I definitely appreciated the emphasis on comprehension, but even so I felt like some of the questions were subjective, and our son was getting frustrated. For example, in one picture there were people in an airport and one of the questions is “What do you think they’re going to do next?” I think based on the child looking at the picture, they might all think something different yet there was a specific “right answer.”

Our daughter had to read a paragraph then do follow up activities relating to what she read. She was rather frustrated as well. Partly because comprehension is a challenge for her due to her having ADHD. So, she was able to read it and understood it, but the comprehension questions were still challenging for her. The activities include highlighting specific parts of the story, and she was getting very frustrated. I tried to sit down and help her, but even I couldn’t figure out exactly what it was requiring either.

MaxPhonics

In MaxPhonics the kids are learning consonants and vowel signs. It’s really very basic, and I would like them to try something more challenging, but I have been unable to adjust the level. They way they use Visual, Tactile and Auditory is really great. I am actually considering allowing our youngest to use one of his sibling’s accounts for the phonics portion because it would be perfect for him (age 6).

MaxWords

MaxWords is probably my favorite part of the program. It offers help for building words, which I feel has been a big gap in other curricula we have used. They have been learning roots, different types of syllables, and prefixes and suffixes. It also includes Latin roots and Greek roots as well which we haven’t worked on yet.
They have mostly been learning about syllables. For the syllables, they are introduced to different types of syllables and are then shown a series of words where they are asked to divide them into syllables correctly. This has really been a great exercise for them!

There are the other parts of the program I’ve mentioned, but they have only dabbled in them a little bit here and there as I really wanted them to focus on the language arts.

Parent Account

Additionally, parents are given their own account to track their children’s progress. It requires visiting a website link specifically for parents – completely separate of the main MaxScholar Website and children’s accounts. I found this to be a little confusing at first because I would try to log in from the main website. Of course, once I did I would remember I needed to use the other one!
The Parent Account is full of great tutorials. In fact, I started to grasp the highlighting more thanks to the tutorials. It offers a tutorial for every aspect of the program, and has been a great resource.
Additionally, I can generate reports for each of the children. The basic report shows their score and performance in each area, the cumulative time spent on the programs, as well as a usage percentage per program. This way I can see where they are spending the most of their time! Plus, I can access detailed reports in each specific area.

MaxScholar Review

Overall, I think MaxScholar offers a variety of different tools and activities. It offers something for every style of learning and even offers learning games, which appeal to most children. It offers a lot of great content for different ages and learning levels, and I love that it takes reading beyond simply reading the words but comprehension as well. The Parent Account offers great resources from the tutorials to the detailed reports.
I don’t think it was a good fit for our kids, and I found it to be a little confusing and not user-friendly. For those who are quick to learn and navigate, this may not be a problem. In fact, many families from the Review Crew had the chance to review MaxScholar, so be sure to check out their reviews as well by clicking on the banner below.

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