Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Preborn Prodigy CDs Review #ComplimentaryProductReceived


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

My family had the privilege of listening to three albums from Preborn Prodigy for this review to use in conjunction with our own curriculum at home. This is a Homeschool Review Crew Review. All opinions expressed are my own or those of my family.


Preborn Prodigy is a company that was founded by Sara Bumgarner; a wife, mother, grandmother, and owner of Sara’s Health Foods. With music, scripture, and prayer these albums were put together to give blessings to children from the womb and beyond. These CDs impart prayers and blessings from in utero and beyond and help children grow with an understanding of the promises found in God's Word helping them strengthen their relationship with God. These are available in physical CD format or as a digital download on iTunes, Amazon Play, Google Play and CD Baby and other digital providers. Besides English it is also available in Hebrew, German, Chinese, Spanish and Afrikaans.


The first CD, Preborn Prodigy: Prayers and Blessings for the Unborn Child, is an album that is designed to be listened to while your little one is still in the womb. This special album communicates positive and scriptural messages and imparts prayers and blessings to the unborn baby. These messages are set to soothing music. Total length of CD is 55:52.

Track Listing and length:
  1. Health & Delivery 5:01
  2. Protection & Provision 11:25
  3. Spiritual Growth &Dedication 8:48
  4. Identity & Destiny 18:57
  5. Spirit, Soul, & Body 4:34
  6. Salvation 3:41
  7. Blessing & Lullaby 3:46


The second CD, Newborn Prodigy: Prayers and Blessings Newborn to 99, is an album that is tailored for baby to listen to. This special album communicates positive and scriptural messages and imparts prayers and blessings to the newborn baby. These messages are set to soothing music and help baby with their true identity and purpose as they begin their journey here on Earth. Total length of CD is 54:45.

Track Listing and length:
  1. Sciptures and Declarations 5:01
  2. Protection & Provision 11:25
  3. Spiritual Growth &Dedication 8:49
  4. Identity & Destiny 18:48
  5. Spirit, Soul, & Body 4:34
  6. Salvation 3:41
  7. Blessing & Lullaby 3:47


The third CD, Math Prodigy, is the first volume in the Math Prodigy series. This album is an unique education tool designed to present the fundamentals of math to young children with ease and understanding. This is set to beautiful, soothing music and has a total length of 57:71.

Track Listing and length:
  1. Introduction to Math 10:11
  2. Addition and Subtraction 8:05
  3. Multiplication and Division 14:04
  4. Fractions 9:01
  5. Decimals and the Order of Operations 16:50

How We Used This and Our Thoughts:

The three albums we received were:
  • Preborn Prodigy: Prayers and Blessings for the Unborn Child
  • Newborn Prodigy: Prayers and Blessings Newborn to 99
  • Math Prodigy

Preborn Prodigy: Prayers and Blessings for the Unborn Child and Newborn Prodigy: Prayers and Blessings Newborn to 99 are loving reminders of what promises God gave us. Both albums are very similar in message, but are tailored to different audiences. One is for the unborn child and one is for the newborn baby. When I listened to the first one it reminded me of a relaxing meditation because of how the woman, Sara Bumgarner, is talking in a calm voice with lovely music in the background. I love that when God or Christ speaks in the album it is in a different voice, a males, voiced by Joshua Smith. The music is beautiful and is done by Emily Smith. I love the positive affirmations and scripture that it says. This album tells the unborn baby that they are loved, protected, safe, special, important, and wanted. That they have purpose, a destiny, and are created by God. It is all very uplifting and heartwarming. In my opinion, these spiritual truths need to be lovingly taught to all of God's children and what a wonderful way to start than in the womb with these teachings. I believe that even in the womb the unborn can hear the outside world, their parent's voices, and music. Even though they may not yet understand these messages they can still listen to them and feel the peace that they bring. The second album is just as lovely, but is designed for babies and young children. I love playing the second album for my daughters when they sleep or at while they play quietly. The life giving messages on both CDs; however, can be applied to all ages. These would be great for baby shower gifts for the pregnant mother.

Math Prodigy is done with the same calming music and narrator. This time though the narrator introduces the young child to math. The narrator talks about real-life examples and careers in which math is used and basic rules for each subject with examples with help memorizing. It does not include the full tables of addition or multiplication, but helps explain the basic concepts of math well.

Even though I do not plan on having more children of my own, I am planning on gifting these to my oldest when he is married and has children of his own. These are all lovely and I love the calming music that is in the background of each. They are meditative. I love how they are put together and I highly recommend them.

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BUY IT
You can purchase these three albums from Preborn Prodigy.

Read other homeschool curriculum reviews for Preborn Prodigy...
Prayers & Blessings for the Unborn Child, Blessings Newborn to 99 & Math Prodigy  {Preborn Prodigy Reviews}

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Math-U-See Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Addition and Subtraction Review #ComplimentaryProductReceived


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

My family had the privilege of trying the Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Addition and Subtraction from Math-U-See for this review to use in conjunction with our own curriculum at home. This is a Homeschool Review Crew Review. All opinions expressed are my own or those of my family.

The Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Addition and Subtraction Set has everything to teach older students who are struggling with math because they have gaps in their foundational skill set, specifically with single-digit addition and subtraction facts. This is generally targeting students age 8-16. With the use of proven methods and manipulatives from Math-U-See, AIM strives to give students the confidence to learn better methods to succeed in addition and subtraction and thus excel in more complex math continuing on in their education. Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Addition and Subtraction has 22 lessons.
  • Accelerated – The opportunity for students to move quickly through a skill set they have not yet mastered, without extra distractions.
  • Individualized – Each student is different, as are their learning preferences. Using as many approaches as possible, the program creates an environment for a student to master the skills they still need at their own pace.
  • Mastery – In this program, mastery means that a student can recall all the math facts using as little mental energy as possible to remain engaged in the process of problem solving.

Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Addition and Subtraction Kit

Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) Contents:
  • Resource Guide Step-by-step guide that includes the techniques, components, and instruction for presenting fact strategies and practicing for mastery. Includes 22 lesson plans.
  • Integer Blocks Proven Math-U-See manipulatives illustrate strategies and are integrated within the instructional materials.
  • Colored Pencils Pencils aligned to the color of the integer blocks to help students transition from using the manipulatives.
  • Fact Check Cards Set of cards used for planning instruction and assessing mastery.
  • Math Facts Strategy Posters Individual posters illustrating the Math-U-See addition fact strategies.
  • Digital Pack Set includes code to redeem 12-months access to the AIM for Addition and Subtraction Digital Pack. This gives you access to all the online and downloadable activities and resources. This includes the AIM for Success Videos that highlight the key concepts and components that make up the AIM program.

Lesson 1 and 2 in the Digital Tool-Box.

Getting to and using the Digital Pack that comes with the kit after it has been purchased is easy. Once you have purchased the Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Addition and Subtraction and it has arrived at your home you will receive a Digital Access card inside the box. This will give you access to the Digital Tool-Box online, just follow the directions to sign up. This gives you access to lesson videos, instruction, solutions, and printable resources. There is a pull down menu for Math-U-See and Accelerated Individualized Mastery on the left. Pick Accelerated Individualized Mastery. On the right hand pull down menu select Addition and Subtraction. Once you select a lesson you can play the Streaming Instruction Video and/or click on the pull down menus underneath each video with printable PDF links for a Lesson Summary and Lesson Solutions. There are also Additional Activities and Resources that you can also print out.


How We Used This and Our Thoughts:

I used this program with my daughter Zari, who is 9 years old. She uses her fingers and tallying to add and subtract and I would like to get her away from these ineffective strategies so that it doesn't become a stumbling block later. Zari and I are familiar with Math-U-See and how the program works because we had tried the Primer kit when Zari was in preschool. Now that she is in 3rd grade I believe the Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Addition and Subtraction will get her back on the right track for math and help her become more positive in her skills.

First Zari did the Before AIM Assessment so that we could see where she was with her single-digit addition and subtraction facts. This assessment is an important step to know whether or not your student will need the Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Addition and Subtraction kit. It is something I recommend doing with your child before purchasing. In this assessment 64 addition and 64 subtraction facts are asked verbally to the student in a stress free environment. Students being assessed can take a break after 2 minutes. If the student scores higher than 109 then AIM probably isn't for your student.  However, if the student scores below 108 then AIM will help the student with their math fluency. Zari was assessed as needing this instruction so we proceeded onto the lessons.

This is what I did before most lessons:
  • Watch lesson video
  • Read lesson instructions
  • Study example problems
  • Gather lesson materials

These are the sessions of most lessons:
  • Session A: Present Lesson Instruction (Lesson 1 only has this)
  • Session B: Demonstrate Understanding
  • Session C: Transition Math Facts to Visual Memory
  • Session D: Assess for Mastery

Zari doing the activities and resources in Lesson 1.

Zari loved the activities and resources parts of the instruction the most. In Lesson 1 her favorite was the matching game where we matched up pairs of numerals to integer block after she colored them the correct colors to match the real blocks with the colored pencils that came with the kit. I thought she did very well with the activity sheets too in getting to learn the colors that went with each block and numeral, 1-10. After mastering them we moved onto lesson 2.

Lesson 2 was all about addition with 2. In Session A Zari practiced counting by twos to ten. Then she practiced counting by odd numbers to 9 and took a break. Then in Session B we used the Build, Write, Say method to solve problems. She builds the equation with the manipulatives, writes it out in numerals and signs, and then says the equation out loud. After doing these we took another break. In Session C I assess whether she can draw, write, and say the math facts from this lesson and if not we work on those. Last, in Session D we use the fact check cards to see whether Zari can recall the facts covered in this lesson. If she can I color one star for each fact known and repeat until all 3 stars are filled in. After this we went onto the Digital Tool-Box and did one of the activities, Sum Solitaire. Zari did very well with this lesson, mastered all the facts, and so we moved onto the next one.

I think that Zari is having fun doing these lessons and learning addition and subtraction without counting on her fingers. The instruction of the Math-U-See Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Addition and Subtraction is outstanding and well put together. I highly recommend it if your student needs this to succeed in math. Have them take the Before AIM Assessment to find out.


BUY IT
You can purchase AIM for Addition and Subtraction for $39. Please have your student take the assessment to see if they need this before purchasing.


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Read other homeschool curriculum reviews for Math-U-See Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Addition and Subtraction...
Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Addition and Subtraction {Math-U-See Reviews}