As that time of year rolls around where we need to teach testing tips and review for the big standardized tests, we often fall back on the old ways and, yes, boring ways of making sure the kids are ready for these tests. I found the Rock 'N Learn's Reading Comprehension dvd and thought that it would be a different approach to teaching them how to comprehend text. I was surprised when it was more on how to approach reading with questions. It showed them to better ways to get the answers for questions connected with text. This surprise just kept getting better, too.
The main characters are a child and a pencil with a French accent. He was funny and entertaining despite tackling a topic that is not high interest.
The dvd showed the students some great techniques for taking on the type of questions that students will come across in standardized tests. It also provided test taking tips along the way, including those that we often overlook.
After watching the entire 40+ minute video, my students wanted to watch it again. We discussed the tips and strategies that the dvd had presented after watching it and they retained it! We all really enjoyed the dvd and I love that it is starting to get them in the mind set of getting ready for the 'big test.'
Monday, February 1, 2010
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
Have a great Thanksgiving holiday!
There are more products on the way. So, we will have more reviews coming soon!
There are more products on the way. So, we will have more reviews coming soon!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Rock 'N Learn: Multiplication Rap
You may begin to see a pattern here with the Rock ‘N Learn DVDs, which is great because it will give you a good idea about other products of theirs that I haven’t reviewed.
As my students will be learning some of their multiplication facts starting next semester, I thought it would be wise to find something to help them remember the facts. With the other Rock ‘N Learn DVDs, I also received a Multiplication Rap. The kids loved Addition and Subtraction Rap, plus it is the same characters! Their favorites are back to help them with those pesky multiplication facts.
Multiplication rap is easy to blend into any already established math program. It takes one set of multiplication facts at a time. If you are teaching the 3s, there’s a program on just that. Plus, there are sections on skip counting. Which (as I have mentioned before) using Saxon Math, that makes it easy to blend the DVD in with how I am already teaching.
Again like the previous discs, Multiplication Rap is broken into small manageable segments of only a few minutes each which makes it great for review and reinforcement. It also follows the same format as Addition and Subtraction Rap. It has a quick lesson where the answers to the problems are given and then there is a review where there is a pause before answers to allow the student to answer on his/her own. I like the format, but I feel that the pause, or wait time, between the problem given and when the answer is given is too short. I think the students need just a little longer.
So for Multiplication Rap, I think it would be a worth while buy for students a little more experienced with multiplication. I would say probably as a review for the end of third grade and up. The skip counting I would use with my second graders and probably some of the facts that are easier for them, but I wouldn’t use it with students that are just starting out with multiplication.
As my students will be learning some of their multiplication facts starting next semester, I thought it would be wise to find something to help them remember the facts. With the other Rock ‘N Learn DVDs, I also received a Multiplication Rap. The kids loved Addition and Subtraction Rap, plus it is the same characters! Their favorites are back to help them with those pesky multiplication facts.
Multiplication rap is easy to blend into any already established math program. It takes one set of multiplication facts at a time. If you are teaching the 3s, there’s a program on just that. Plus, there are sections on skip counting. Which (as I have mentioned before) using Saxon Math, that makes it easy to blend the DVD in with how I am already teaching.
Again like the previous discs, Multiplication Rap is broken into small manageable segments of only a few minutes each which makes it great for review and reinforcement. It also follows the same format as Addition and Subtraction Rap. It has a quick lesson where the answers to the problems are given and then there is a review where there is a pause before answers to allow the student to answer on his/her own. I like the format, but I feel that the pause, or wait time, between the problem given and when the answer is given is too short. I think the students need just a little longer.
So for Multiplication Rap, I think it would be a worth while buy for students a little more experienced with multiplication. I would say probably as a review for the end of third grade and up. The skip counting I would use with my second graders and probably some of the facts that are easier for them, but I wouldn’t use it with students that are just starting out with multiplication.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Rock 'N Learn: Telling Time
Rock ‘N Learn has many disks on a variety of topics. As we have already reviewed the Addition and Subtraction Rap, let’s stay in math and look at their Telling Time DVD.
I know that telling time can be difficult for students, especially in my age range. So, I like how the Telling Time DVD has broken up the programs into the easier sections that get harder and harder. They go from hour to half hour to quarter hour and so on. There is even a section where they practice skip counting by fives. Plus, this matches up pretty nicely to how time is taught in Saxon Math.
Like in the previous review, Telling Time has small manageable bites. The programs on the disc are only a few minutes long. So, they make for a great for quick reviews and reinforcements of lessons already taught.
The characters in this DVD are fun and colorful. The music is lively and easy for the students to sing along with. The students find it fun and entertaining while still being educated.
Overall, I like the Rock ‘N Learn Telling Time. It fits well into my already established math program. I would recommend using this the classroom and even for home for children needing a little extra help.
Win your own copy of Rock 'N Learn's Telling Time. All you have to do is join this blog, tweet the comment below on twitter, and post a comment with your e-mail address spelled out (jane at gmail dot com) by November 15th for a chance to win. For a second entry, subscribe to this blog. Email addresses will only be used to notify the winner. Shipping is restricted to the U.S. only.
Twitter: @classtoolsrev Visit http://bit.ly/llHsT for a chance to win a Rock 'N Learn DVD. Ends 11/15/09! RT
*DVD was provided by Rock 'N Learn at http://www.rocknlearn.com/ for review, no money was exchanged as a result (please see terms of use).
I know that telling time can be difficult for students, especially in my age range. So, I like how the Telling Time DVD has broken up the programs into the easier sections that get harder and harder. They go from hour to half hour to quarter hour and so on. There is even a section where they practice skip counting by fives. Plus, this matches up pretty nicely to how time is taught in Saxon Math.
Like in the previous review, Telling Time has small manageable bites. The programs on the disc are only a few minutes long. So, they make for a great for quick reviews and reinforcements of lessons already taught.
The characters in this DVD are fun and colorful. The music is lively and easy for the students to sing along with. The students find it fun and entertaining while still being educated.
Overall, I like the Rock ‘N Learn Telling Time. It fits well into my already established math program. I would recommend using this the classroom and even for home for children needing a little extra help.
Win your own copy of Rock 'N Learn's Telling Time. All you have to do is join this blog, tweet the comment below on twitter, and post a comment with your e-mail address spelled out (jane at gmail dot com) by November 15th for a chance to win. For a second entry, subscribe to this blog. Email addresses will only be used to notify the winner. Shipping is restricted to the U.S. only.
Twitter: @classtoolsrev Visit http://bit.ly/llHsT for a chance to win a Rock 'N Learn DVD. Ends 11/15/09! RT
Good Luck!
*DVD was provided by Rock 'N Learn at http://www.rocknlearn.com/ for review, no money was exchanged as a result (please see terms of use).
Monday, October 5, 2009
Rock 'N Learn: Addition & Subtraction Rap
Right now, my students are learning/reviewing addition facts and taking timed assessments. By the end of the year, we will go through all of the subtraction and half of the multiplication facts. So, finding a way to make our daily addition fact practice more interesting is welcomed.
Let me start this review from the very beginning. I opened the Rock 'N Learn: Addition & Subtraction Rap DVD case and the the disc was firmly in place but easy to get out. When there are kids all around you vying for your attention and you are wrestling a case for a disc, this does actually become a positive feature.
That aside, I previewed all of the programs prior to viewing it with the students. In my preview, I really liked that each chapter on the disc had its own mini-lesson. It took on chunks of facts rather than all of them at once. This is nice because I have been able to show certain clips as they are appropriate.
With that, the clips are short. Each being only a few minutes, it does not consume a great deal of time in the day. So, showing it as a review is not a big deal. I don't have to set aside special time to "show a video." I just cue up the part I want to show that day and in a few minutes (less than 5 minutes) the kids have had a review of our current facts. I have used this as a supplement to our normal facts lessons.
The "rap" is fun for the kids. Each rap has a theme, such as the "Adding Machine." They are clear, there isn't a question as to what the rapper said. It had a simple beat that the students were able to keep with the rapper. Plus, it was interactive. In the review sections, there is a wait time. The rapper asks, "4 plus 5 is..." And, there is a pause, or wait time, to give the students a chance to respond before the answer is given. Meaning, immediate feedback!
I have been using this for about a week and a half in class. With the last assessment (the first full week of using it) I saw noticeable gains in the students' speed and accuracy. Plus, the students ask me regularly if we can watch some of it because they too really enjoy it. Overall, I would recommend Rock 'N Learn's Addition and Subtraction Rap for any parent or teacher to help your children with addition and subtraction math facts.
Win your own copy of Rock 'N Learn's Addition and Subtraction Rap. All you have to do is join this blog, tweet the comment below on twitter, and post a comment with your e-mail address spelled out (jane at gmail dot com) by November 15th for a chance to win. For a second entry, subscribe to this blog. Email addresses will only be used to notify the winner. Shipping is restricted to the U.S. only.
*DVD was provided by Rock 'N Learn at http://www.rocknlearn.com/ for review, no money was exchanged as a result (please see terms of use).
Let me start this review from the very beginning. I opened the Rock 'N Learn: Addition & Subtraction Rap DVD case and the the disc was firmly in place but easy to get out. When there are kids all around you vying for your attention and you are wrestling a case for a disc, this does actually become a positive feature.
That aside, I previewed all of the programs prior to viewing it with the students. In my preview, I really liked that each chapter on the disc had its own mini-lesson. It took on chunks of facts rather than all of them at once. This is nice because I have been able to show certain clips as they are appropriate.
With that, the clips are short. Each being only a few minutes, it does not consume a great deal of time in the day. So, showing it as a review is not a big deal. I don't have to set aside special time to "show a video." I just cue up the part I want to show that day and in a few minutes (less than 5 minutes) the kids have had a review of our current facts. I have used this as a supplement to our normal facts lessons.
The "rap" is fun for the kids. Each rap has a theme, such as the "Adding Machine." They are clear, there isn't a question as to what the rapper said. It had a simple beat that the students were able to keep with the rapper. Plus, it was interactive. In the review sections, there is a wait time. The rapper asks, "4 plus 5 is..." And, there is a pause, or wait time, to give the students a chance to respond before the answer is given. Meaning, immediate feedback!
I have been using this for about a week and a half in class. With the last assessment (the first full week of using it) I saw noticeable gains in the students' speed and accuracy. Plus, the students ask me regularly if we can watch some of it because they too really enjoy it. Overall, I would recommend Rock 'N Learn's Addition and Subtraction Rap for any parent or teacher to help your children with addition and subtraction math facts.
Win your own copy of Rock 'N Learn's Addition and Subtraction Rap. All you have to do is join this blog, tweet the comment below on twitter, and post a comment with your e-mail address spelled out (jane at gmail dot com) by November 15th for a chance to win. For a second entry, subscribe to this blog. Email addresses will only be used to notify the winner. Shipping is restricted to the U.S. only.
Twitter: @classtoolsrev Visit http://bit.ly/llHsT for a chance to win a Rock 'N Learn DVD. Ends 11/15/09! RT
Good Luck!
*DVD was provided by Rock 'N Learn at http://www.rocknlearn.com/ for review, no money was exchanged as a result (please see terms of use).
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