Monday, December 8, 2008

7 Reviews/7 Giveaways-Day 1


As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I have been given the wonderful opportunity to review many homeschool products over the next several months. I feel truly blessed to be participating in this review group and I'm looking forward to trying out the products and giving you my honest opinion. This week I will post one review and host a giveaway each day. Please read this review and make sure to leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway.

"Her nose is always in a book." I can't tell you how many times someone made that comment about me as I was growing up. I love to get lost in a really good book. On a hot, sunny day you will not find me outside. I'll be inside in the air conditioning instead, under a comforter reading. Want to know where you'll find me on a rainy day? Yep...same place. And I have a great desire to pass my love of reading down to each of my children.

Rime to Read is an online program for beginning readers. It's a set of 20 readers that you can either print or read right from your computer screen. What makes this program unique is that each book introduces a new set of rimes...no, not rhymes. Words that rhyme simply sound alike, but words that are rimes sound alike and look alike, (for example: cat, hat, mat, etc.). The rimes are also color coded to give a visual reminder to your young reader.

I decided to try this program out with my 5 year old and my 6 year old. E5 can recognize all the letters, but is still learning the sounds. A6 has been reading words for more than a year now, but still struggles to read fluently. I opted to have them read the books from the computer only because I like to conserve my printer ink whenever possible. Plus, Rime to Read sets each book up as a two page spread so that you can see the illustration on one side and the words on the other. The kids can click the upper corner of the 'book' to turn the page. There is also a sound feature on all of the rime words. They can click on the word to hear it spoken.

A6 read through these books easily. The fact that words are rimes helped her with fluency. I think its so important to give a child simple readers even after they are already reading fairly well. It builds up their confidence and gives them much needed 'reading practice'. The Rime to Read program is perfect for this. In addition to introducing the 20 sets of rimes, or word families, they also introduce 35 sight words. You should have your students read these books in order since the previously learned words are reviewed in each subsequent book.

I'm also happy to say that the Rime to Read books were also the first books that E5 has ever read. How proud I am to have three of my children reading now!

I think that it is important to note that while Rime to Read calls themselves a 'reading program', it does not teach students the sounds of letters and they will need a prior knowledge of them. You can purchase four of these virtual books for $9.95 or the entire set of 20 for $44.95. Remember, you can also print them and bind them if you prefer a hard copy. I would suggest laminating them as well if you plan on doing this.

I have to admit, as a thrifty mom who enjoys frequenting used curriculum sales, I do cringe a little at this price tag. Nevertheless, these cute readers have been quite successful at helping me to teach my 5 year old to read, and what kind of price tag can you put on that?

You can purchase these books or read a sample book for free at the Rime to Read website.




Now for today's giveaway...I am VERY excited to be giving away the TOS 12 Days of Christmas Gift Pack. You can purchase it now from the Schoolhouse Store for $17.95 but it is actually a $71.80 value!!!


There are all kinds of goodies in this gift pack. Here's what's included:


NEW 1 Year TOS Magazine Subscription

Homeschooling with Heart Tote Bag

E-Book: Homespun Holidays: Fall and Winter

E-Book: Amusing Mathematics Module - November 2008 Issue

E-Book: What About Socialization?


Oh, what a lucky winner one of you will be! And all you need to do to enter is to leave a comment, making sure to give me your email or blog address so that I can contact you if you win. Don't forget if you grab the button from my sidebar and paste it on your blog I will automatically enter you twice into all the giveaways (in addition to your entry for commenting.)


You have until Wednesday, December 17th at 8pm (EST) to enter this and each of the 7 giveaways. I will announce the winners and contact them that evening. They will have 48 hours to respond before I draw another name.


Good luck and come back tomorrow for another fun review and giveaway!

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68 comments:

  1. This is an awesome contest. I'll keep you in my prayers as you work to complete the reviews this busy month!
    Nancy

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  2. Thank you for the review and the chance to win some goodies.

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  3. I enjoyed reading through your site. I don't know how you have time for all this with 6 children. esp. 2 babies. God Bless you.
    Julie

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  4. Thank you for your review! It sounds like a really great program!

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  5. I just happened upon your site while researching homeschooling stuff. Thanks for the giveaways opportunities!!!!
    Jeanne
    r5schroder@gmail.com

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  6. Imagine me jumping up from my seat, waving my hand yelling "Me, Me! Pick Me!"

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  7. How fun and helpful! We homeschool moms need to know more about products like these. Too often I have to BUY before I can see a product and then waste MORE money trying to ebay what won't work for us. Thanks!

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  8. Here is my official entry today, Shanna! Sorry for the mix up with the last post.

    Have a joyful day :)

    Blessings,
    Denise

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  9. Wow, what a generous giveaway! Please enter me.

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  10. I am sooo gonna check out hat website, might help my son. Thanks for the chance to win some goodies!
    http://krisicute.blogspot.com/

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  11. What a nice giveaway! Please enter me.
    Mary
    tschecklman@comcast.net

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  12. I liked your review. I have the problem with my son as you did with a6..Reading words, but not fluently yet... He's 7, so I've been worried.. I thank you for letting me know about this resource. Have a great holiday! You can enter me, if you like.
    clikkparker@yahoo.com

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  13. This would make a nice gift for a mom I know who is considering homeschooling. Thanks for the chance!

    Michele

    reaching5678 at yahoo dot com

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  14. Thanks for the review...I'm always looking into new things and ideas for my children. Thank you for the goodie opportunity as well. Thank you for the entry.
    Mshumble@gmail.com

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  15. I would love to win the TOS giveaway. What a wonderful giveaway. Thanks!

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  16. I would love to be entered for the drawing! Thanks!!!....Becky

    chefbecky00@yahoo.com

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  17. Hi, wow, I wish I could purchase this for the great sale price right now, but money is very tight. Thank you for the chance to win this awesome giveaway! Many blessings and wishes of a very Merry Christmas!

    Robin

    Gamomof2x@yahoodotcom

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  18. Thanks for the review. I'm going to go check out their website now. Keep up the good work!
    Heidemarie

    heidemarie.swanepoel@yahoo.com

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  19. Sounds good to me. This maybe something I could use with my struggling reader...By the way, you are awesome!
    Blessings,
    Lori

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  20. This sounds great, but I'm not sure I can go for the price tag with only two left to learn to read. I'll have to check it out a little more closely, but your review seems quite thorough. Thanks for the introduction to Rime to Read.

    Melanie McBride
    melanie@jmxservices.com

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  21. My kids are a little older than this, but it is great to see so many new options for homeschool materials. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this. It is good to have the information to share with someone else who may need it. Blessings to you! ChrisN in NY

    teachingsix (AT) bluefrog (DOT) com

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  22. Hey Shanna - the reading program sounds wonderful.. would have been nice to have back when I struggled with Jess. Anyhow, would love to win your giveaway :) am putting your button on my page also!

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  23. Thanks for the review and the chance to win! So glad your little one has started to read!

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  24. I think it sounds like a great product, but it's a little pricey for me at the moment. Thank you, Deanna

    dlpphx@yahoo.com

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  25. Thanks for the review and the giveaway opportunity!

    http://unafamiliaalaskena.blogspot.com/

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  26. Looks like a neat product. Thanks for the review - and the chance to win!



    chloe (at) sc (dot) rr (dot) com

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  27. Thanks for the chance to win this - it looks great!
    luckysam@roadrunner.com

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  28. I would love to win the 12 days of Christmas set.
    The book set that you reviewed sounds very nice. I already own a set similar to this so I appriciate learning about it and saving my money for something that I might actually need and use with my family. Thank you very much for the honest review.

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  29. thanks for the giveaway. It is always fun to try for free stuff.
    I am so blessed to have found your blog.
    My email address is
    laressie@gmail.com
    or my blog is
    www.momuv4girls.blogspot.com

    God bless.
    LaRessie

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  30. i'm not sure if my post worded! aak! anyway, this is VERY COOL! i'll be watching closely! i added your button to this blog of mine, http://rebeccakvenvolden.blogspot.com and my email, if i win, is kvenvolden@comcast.net
    thanks!

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  31. It is a great review and something to definitely check out, although as a mum of 3 am also concerned with the price tag. But hey it may be the thing to fianlly get my son fluent!

    Have grabbed you button adn added to my blog!

    Looking forward to more reviews!
    Hugs
    Cherie

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  32. Rime to Read sounds like a great idea. I agree that the price tag is a bit high. I'm not ready to make that kind of purchase. I do with there were more beginning readers available for purchase. My beginning readers need more little books to make learning to read exciting.

    Jill
    http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jillconnelly/
    connelly_jill@yahoo.com

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  33. I don't see how you have time to do all this! You seem to do it well though! Liked reading the review. My kids are older but they loved reading books on the computer while they were younger.

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  34. That sounds like a great package. I'd love to win! Patty

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  35. This sounds like an interesting program. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  36. Enjoyed your review of the product. My ds is past this stage but will pass on to sister with little ones. Love to win the Christmas package.

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  37. Would make a great gift for my daughter-in-law and her 5 year old son. He wants to read so bad, so I like putting my finger on words as I read to him. He has picked out a lot of words with the green eggs and ham book.

    momofemmett@gmail.com

    www.homeschoolblogger.com/jancarol

    www.24hourwebcash.com/abney9220

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  38. Thank you so much for the review. I think we're a bit beyond it in our house, but may try it for fluency, as you did.

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  39. Hello Shanna, Thank you for your review of Rime to Read, it was very imformative. You explained very well how it worked and for me this is good. I have 3 kids the age range that would benefit from this program. I like that you also included the price and your opinion of the value. I will check out your other reviews in the future.

    Mom to 5,
    Miriam
    www.ziehmfamily@hotmail.com

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  40. Please enter me in the contest too. Thanks for the review. Looks interesting.
    Cindy
    tcvp@bmts.com

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  41. sounds fun... Thanks for the offers you'll be making.

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  42. Thanks for the thorough review. As a homeschooling newbie, I love hearing about what works and doesn't work for other people.
    Lisa
    iluvchrisnlevi@aol.com

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  43. Thank you for the great review! It doesn't seem appropriate for my little ones at this time, but I will keep it in mind to pass on to others.

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  44. Oooo....my 4 yr old is SO at that level....great recommend!

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  45. I don't have any starting readers at this moment but I'd love to still enter! I am also grabbing your button and adding to my blog.Be blessed!

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  46. Thanks for yout honest review and the opportunity to win! I posted your button on my blog: hknisley.blogspot.com

    Heather

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  47. Thanks for the chance to win and read many reviews!

    Judy Joiner

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  48. I agree I am amazed on how you do it !!! Please enter me.
    Thanks,
    Tina B
    breedens8@charter.net

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  49. Thank you for your thoughtful review. Thanks, as well, for all the give-away contests ~ what fun!

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  50. Sorry ~ I forgot to leave a way for you to contact me in my previous comment. My email is pfleiderer6@yahoo.com

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  51. Thanks for the reviews and contest.

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  52. Your blog is great! And the reviews are really helpful. Thank you for taking the time to do this.

    Cindy
    cinphil40@yahoo.com

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  53. What helpful reviews (and during a busy month too!).

    Beth
    (befus.beth(at)gmail(dot)com)

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  54. It does seem a bit steep in price. Thanks for the clarification in rhyme vs rime. I was unaware of that.

    cj

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  55. I wish this was around when I was teaching my daughter to read.
    I will be sharing this with the other homeschoolers we know.
    Thanks for the great info!

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  56. I so appreciate the reviews and the opportunity to try out the products...I have been eyeballing the christmas homespun
    You can reach me at cvdmvega@yahoo.com

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  57. Wow! I would love to be entered into your giveways! (And I would LOVE to win! :-) I am putting your button on my page!

    Karen
    homespunsimplicity@gmail.com

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  58. Wow pick me pick me : ))) terricottner@bellsouth.net

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  59. I'd love to be entered for this and would bless my friend who is seriously thinking of homeschooling her son after having a bad time in the private school.

    www.homeschoolblogger.com/OhioSarah

    SeekingHim @ gmail dot com

    Sarah

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  60. Would LOVE to win this won! THANKS for the opportunity! And MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

    hockman1@sbcglobal.net

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  61. I would love to win.
    donna444444@yahoo.com

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  62. I'd like to be entered for the give-away. I also wanted to add that my sweeties are the same ages as yours. We're nearly done with the birthdays. As of 12-23 our only son will be 3. His sisters are 8, 6, 4 1/2 and 1. We don't have a 6th baby added to the mix yet but we are praying for more Moores :)
    Blessings!
    Hillary in Indiana
    moores@bluemarble.net

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  63. Thank you for blessing all with this contest! I know that the Lord will bless those in need. I look forward to seeing all of the winners!

    Blessings,
    Karilyn
    gkputt@srt.com

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  64. I would love to be entered into the TOS giveaway. Thank you so much!

    Becky Soyster
    fotomamma@msn.com

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  65. Oh, please enter me for this one. I've wanted the TOS tote bag! I also have your button in my sidebar.

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  66. Rime to Read sounds like a great program . . . I will definitely keep it in mind for my son when we get to that point!

    And what a great giveaway today . . . please enter me too! Thanks for all that you are doing!

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  67. My daughter wants to learn to read so we have started on that journey. This sounds like fun. Please enter me.
    Thanks,
    Chris

    redhead@evenlink.com

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  68. Thank you for the review. I'm teaching my 5yo to read right now, so I was very interested.
    Please enter me in the drawing for the TOS pack. Thanks so much!
    Teonei
    teonei@hotmail.com

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