Intellego Unit Studies - Product Review

Unit studies and downloadable curriculum are all over the place these days, but Intellego Unit Studies are not designed like any other product I have seen around the webisphere! Created by a home educator for home educators these PDF formatted units contain interactive internet links for ease of access. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel this publisher has used what is readily available on-line to create customizable, easily adaptable, engaging guides that have something for every type of learner. Other unit guides that I have seen simply have text that is read to or by the child with some worksheets here and there, but these guides include a plethora of internet links that lead the learner to text, video, games, projects and worksheets. The links that are kept up to date using Intellego's database to ensure that the links are current and working.


Each unit has a standard layout which includes clearly outlined objectives, KWL charts, material lists, content specific info and extension activities. Before you begin you are presented with a clearly outlined list of what your child will be learning about during this unit. This can be a great tool to take to the library with you if you would like supplement with living books or plan field trips. The KWL charts are great tools to help organize and focus learning, before starting each unit the child lists the things they already KNOW about a topic, then move on to what they WANT to know and at the end of the unit they recap the things that they have LEARNED. The units include materials lists in two areas, a master list at the beginning of the unit and then a specific list for each chapter and lesson, which is a great way to ensure you haven't missed anything - nothing is worse than getting an experiment underway only to find out that you don't have everything you need!!! The content specific information in each area is broken down into bite-size sections to clearly cover all areas of a topic with an array of multi-media resources.  The key to any great unit study program is the ability to create continuity in cross-curricular skills and Intellego has done so by including extension activities that help solidify the information the learner has gained by showing how it can be used in the real world.


Of course no product is going to be a perfect fit for every family and there were a few drawbacks to this one, which included some dialogue being presented to the teacher and the inconsistency in the resources. For me having the units written to the teacher rather than to the student is a bit of an issue as I have a child who is a very independent learner. Of the three that I reviewed both of the ones that were for grades 6-8 were written this way KM found it a bit difficult, but not impossible, to follow along and this was more of an issue when she got to an external website that was directed to a teacher rather a student. The Health Unit was written directly to the student, but some of the resources were still written directly to the teacher and expected to be used by a class of students rather than a single learner The variance in resources was also a problem when some of the links had higher expectations of prior knowledge in both the middle grades and high school levels.

Overall I am very impressed with the format of these units. As someone who NEVER used a curriculum the way that is was meant to be used, Intellego has cut down my search time and gather a myriad of sources for me all in one clearly laid out unit. I look forward to using more in the future.







~~~Disclaimer: I was given these materials to review, but was not compensated in any other way for this review. I clearly stated to the publisher prior to downloading items that complimentary receipt did not guarantee a favorable review. 

Immense Praise for Joy Hakim’s A History of US

I have previously reviewed Joy Hakim's Story of Science series and since I was so enamored by her writing, I bit the bullet and bought the 11 volume set A History of US for KM to use for her U.S. History studies. AM I EVER GLAD I DID!!! I had planned on glossing over the content so that I could figure out when I would need to order additional reading material and movies from our local library to supplement and ended up not being able to put the book down! I am no history buff, but this book captured my attention and I literally couldn't put it down.

I love that she points out what our family calls "duh" moments, things that when you are reading you think why doesn't every textbook take this approach. "When Leaders say something is all right, most people agree, without thinking for themselves." p.113

Hakim has a way of writing that just captivates and inspires you to want to keep reading. The story unfolds as if you are in a time machine looking down on what is going on. Her writing flows in an engaging and thought provoking way, as she constantly asks you to analyze and question what is being said in a conversational manner. She manages to cover even some of the more gruesome facts without getting graphic, which makes this a perfect multi-age resource.

Hakim challenges the reader to question history and emphasizes that "No one knows what happened in the past - at least we don't know the whole story"..."You gather pieces of information and try to discover how they fit." p. 9 

When I was in school I was never taught about anything before the Jamestown Settlement. Sure we were taught about Christopher Columbus sailing across the ocean blue in 1492, but they never mentioned all that went on from one point to the next, it was basically as if they left out the 16th century all together! In Hakim's text she is truly telling the story of US, beyond the United States, in direct relation to how the Americas were formed. Begining back with Beringia she has the audacity to discuss how there are actually no "NATIVE" Americans as we all came from somewhere else. She delves into the formation of settlements in the Central American islands, the Spanish conquests of Mexico and also defends the Indians, repeatedly making note of the "arrogant European" behaviors.

My favorite quote has to be - Looking back, today, it seems as if people and nations were acting just like silly little kids. Each one saying "My religion is better than yours." p. 139

I have only read the first volume, but I have already absorbed more information from this book than I did in my entire college semester of U.S. History. I highly recommend this series as a first rate, informative, intelligent text that will surely make a history lover out of the most resistant person.

I will be getting Volume 2 off the shelf as soon as I finish typing this!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~UPDATE --- We are nearly done with Book 5 at this point. KM and I are still totally engaged in this series. I love how every angle and point of view is touched on, so that you can get a feel for what life was really like for not just the rich, but the poor and the inbetweeners as well!!!

CNN Student News

Back on the air with the best current event coverage for teens!


Welcome to a new year of CNN Student News! In our first show of the school year, we reveal the identity of a presidential running mate, and we report on an attack at a religious temple in Wisconsin. We also look back at some of the stories that made headlines over the summer. And we consider the Curiosity involved in a mission to Mars. 

Free Resources in Your Mailbox from NRCS

This is just one of the many - 277 to be exact - resources that you can receive FREE in your mailbox from the National Resources Conservation Service! Pop on over to see what might inspire you and your children!

GED Prep Resources

As I have mentioned before, KM and DN are both planning to take the GED for differing reasons, so I wanted to share the resources we will be utilizing over the next few years in order to prepare for the test.

• GED For Free - a large amount of free resources and information available online for free
• FREE GED Practice Tests - Great to find what areas should be focused on! 
• Complete GED Preparation
• GED Mathematics (Steck-Vaughn Ged Series) 
• Steck-Vaughn Ged: Language Arts, Writing (Steck-Vaughn Ged Series) 
• Ged Essay (Steck-Vaughn Ged Series) 
• GED: Language Arts, Reading (Steck-Vaughn Ged Series)
• Ged Science (Steck-Vaughn Ged Series) 
• Social Studies: Ged (Steck-Vaughn Ged Series)

I really like the format of the Steck-Vaughn series and appreciate that they have additional booklets of exercises in each area. I feel this is the most thorough GED prep out there.

2012-2013 Ed Outline

KM has been quite under the weather over the last few weeks and feeling like she didn't want to go anywhere, which gave me a TON of time to get next year's education outline completed for both kids - YIPPEE!!! AS I ALWAYS SAY - I don't have this carved in stone, but I feel SOOOOO much more confident when I have it all planned out. DN will be 11th grade next year and KM will be 10th grade, however since KM is a bit ahead and DN has some remedial work to catch up on, there a few areas where they are working on the same things and a number of areas where KM is actually doing higher level work than DN. DN will also be working this summer and therefore will have a more intense schedule over the fall, winter and spring sessions.

Education Outline

Summer 12 – Spring 13 Sessions

Subject	Summer '12	Fall '12	Winter '13	Spring '13
ELA - Literature & Writing	Historical Fiction - K Steck-Vaughn GED: Language Arts, Writing  - K	Movies as Literature - Both Steck-Vaughn G: Language Arts, Writing  - K Glencoe Literature - D	Movies as Literature -    Both Steck-Vaughn G: Language Arts, Writing  - K Glencoe Literature - D	Movies as Literature -    Both Steck-Vaughn G: Language Arts, Writing  - K  Glencoe Literature - D
Math	Hands on Banking for Teens - K	Applying Algebra (Applied Math Series)  - K SF Algebra Book 1 - D	Applying Algebra (Applied Math Series)  - K SF Algebra Book 1 - D SF Algebra Book 2 - D	Applying Algebra (Applied Math Series)     - K SF Algebra Book 2 - D
Science		Chemistry (Science) -    Both Janice VanCleave's Chemistry for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments that Really Work - Both	Chemistry (Science) - Both Janice VanCleave's Chemistry for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments that Really Work - Both	Chemistry (Science) - Both Janice VanCleave's Chemistry for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments that Really Work - Both
Health & P.E.	Bowling - K ExerBeat - K	Bowling – K ExerBeat - K	Bowling - K ExerBeat - K	Bowling - K ExerBeat - K
Social Sciences – Current Events, U.S. History & Geography	A History of US Books 5-9 - K Story of the US DVD - K U.S. History – Basic Not Boring - K	A History of US Books 5-9 - K Story of the US DVD - Both U.S. History – Basic Not Boring - K Hip Hop History - U.S. - D Living Books & Historical Fiction - D People and Events: 1865-Present - Both CNN Student News - Both Election Study	A History of US Books 5-9 - K Story of the US DVD - Both U.S. History – Basic Not Boring - K Hip Hop History - U.S. - D Living Books & Historical Fiction - D People and Events: 1865-Present - Both CNN Student News - Both	A History of US Books 5-9 - K Story of the US DVD - Both U.S. History – Basic Not Boring - K Hip Hop History - U.S. - D Living Books & Historical Fiction - D People and Events: 1865-Present - Both CNN Student News - Both
Elective	Milady's Standard Cosmetology - K  Theory Workbook-- K Practical Workbook - K Japanese from Zero!  -    K	Cosmetology - K  Meet the Great Composers  - Both Stossel in the Classroom - Civics - D	Cosmetology - K  Meet the Great Composers  - Both Stossel in the Classroom - Civics - D	Cosmetology - K  Meet the Great Composers  - Both Stossel in the Classroom - Civics - D

Here is what the planned schedules will look like -

KM - Summer Schedule ~~~

KM - Fall Schedule ~~~~~~~~

DN - Fall Schedule ~~~~~~~

Movie Review - Mirror Mirror

We went to see Mirror Mirror yesterday and were so impressed that I had to come on and recommend it! This is a must see!!!! A fantastic twist on this classic tale that kept us guessing all the way through. 

Yout Tube Monday - An Interesting Interpreation for World History

DISCLOSURE --- THIS VIDEO IS RATED MATURE!!! There are some swears an inappropriate content for younger children.

Hetalia was recommend to KM by a friend since she is so into anime. As it was rated MA, I decided to watch it with her. I have to say it was rather interesting, it got more than a little BIZARRE about 10 episodes in, but it does give an intriguing perspective of the world's historical events in the last century. The inappropriate language could easily have been left out and this would be the only real downfall I have seen so far. Take a peek -

Friends With Boys - a webcomic by Faith Erin Hicks

Friends With Boys - a webcomic by Faith Erin Hicks:

This was recommended for KM by one my very bestest buds and I have to say she read the whole thing in under an hour!!!! So it must be good! Check out online before it is available in print until March 6th

Weekly Update - Week of Game Play

DN has become very motivated and is finishing his entire weeks worth of work in just about a day, so he was only here Monday and Tuesday this week and I sent him home with a copy of Lord of the Flies to read and a calendar to keep track of any basketball he plays or other "phys. ed-ish" type activities he is doing as this is something that we feel is really important. He also responsible to do Khan Academy and watch CNN Student News each day while he is home. My hope is that in the free time that he has he will discover something that will spark his interest and he might start to see that learning goes beyond worksheets, report writing, and textbooks.


KM moved along smoothly with her lessons per usual. She has been working on a story that is in journal format and decided to turn it into a fictitious blog, pop on over if you feel like checking it out - HERE. She is planning on adding to it with some of her manga drawings, so it should be pretty interesting! She has two more weeks left in her poetry class she is taking via Skype and is getting a bit anxious about the final assignment which is to write a critical analysis of a poem. Formal writing has never been her strong suit, but it is more about her lack of confidence than her actual writing skills. I am fairly certain that she will do just fine and she is excited that she will be continuing with this group and doing a literature study of Bronte's Wuthering Heights.

Click here to get the answer!

Learning this week centered around a lot of game play. They played a round of Math Jeopardy from What's Your Angle Scholastic Math Games Resource. For health this week we played the Professor Noggin's Human Body game.  I am always shocked by the ones that we get right, as well as the ones that we get wrong.

As part of our U.S. History we have be doing activities from Colonial Days: Discover the Past with Fun Projects, Games, Activities, and Recipes (American Kids in History Series) and this week we played a Native American Stick Toss Game. It had a lot to do with luck, more than anything, as you simply toss the sticks in the air and add up your score based on how the sticks land. The kids seem to enjoy it and the scores went back and forth quite a few times!

KM started practicing for the World Education Games this week! She has participated in some Math events previously but this will be the first time she will be doing the spelling and science competitions so she wants to get as much practice in as possible. There is still plenty of time to register HERE!

KM also had fun with music and dance on the Wii this week! We all LOVE the Wii! It is such a great way to incorporate fun into learning while getting everyone up and moving!