NEW BEGINNINGS

{Is that a 2006 issue? Yikes!}

I have been missing you but I have been enjoying the long break as I work on planning upcoming units and printables. At the bottom of this post, I have posted what will be coming soon. Today though, I want to share my first official review for TOS. Oh that sounds so "official" but I am still just me.

While I am on the subject of TOS, I have pored over every print issue magazine that I have received from them. Gems are for keeping and I'm keeping my print issues. Too, I have touted it before that I am a paper planner girl living in a digital world. However, you know I love my techy devices like my new iPad and Kindle Fire.

There are some changes though that are better in a connected world. Schoolhouse Teachers by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is one of those changes.

When the digital issue of The Old Schoolhouse magazine went free for everyone and the print issue went away, I have to admit I wondered what would happen to the free unit study I got each month known as the Teacher's Toolbox. {Before I go any further in this review, be sure to click this link to snag your FREE digital copy of the December issue.} 

Then, came along SchoolhouseTeachers.  I had not a clue when I joined that it was so much more than one unit study. I was absolutely tickled to get my password and start poking around the new site.

What exactly is it? Schoolhouse Teachers is the homeschooler's online educational resource site.  From printables to daily lessons, lapbooks, free monthly ebooks, and Expo recordings on various homeschool topics prepared by recognized homeschool leaders, it is a one stop resource site.  Do homeschool moms get to have teacher's helpers? I think we do with Schoolhouse Teachers.

When you sign into your account, you get a board that looks like this. This gives you a quick overview of what is available. Now, did you notice those sweet little arrows pointing down? That means more gems hidden below but just let those main topics soak in for a while so you get the full use of the site.

Here are some other gems I enjoy:

 1.)   Enough resources that keep me clicking, downloading and using ANYTIME. I can access the site at home on my computer OR on my iPad. They have an app for Apple or Android.

2.)  Having kids of different ages, I can click on each heading and get a drop down menu of resources for each kid. You know I love pictures and need many visuals. Please, please do not give me one little picture and expect me to drool. I need plenty to drool at so I have to give you a sneak peek of some of the pics from the site.

Below is the drop down menu for the elementary level.  Lesson plans at your fingertips.

Each main topic has a  drop down menu as comprehensive as this one.

3.)  I no longer have to worry about storing all future and past copies of the print magazine because I can access them and download them digitally on my computer or tablet. You know I prefer looking at in on my computer, but when I have to travel, then out comes my new iPad that I am still learning how to use.

4.) Content is constantly updated and new content is added while the "keepers" like accessing the back print issues stays on the site.

I really like the Ditch The Desk area for some hands on tips. I tend to use that a little more because I can glance to see if something matches up with our upcoming unit study or not. If it doesn't and we still want to do it, we can.

5.) Life can throw curves in your best laid out homeschool routine and it did to me the early part of this year. Since I was a member already of the Schoolhouse Teachers, I was able to use some things from Schoolhouse Dailies during the time I couldn't lesson plan. My reason for liking this section is because of the variety to choose from. Look at this picture below that I grabbed for you.

This picture is just a partial picture of the main area section that explains what is included in this area. I think it is helpful to get an overview of the content.

Then if you click on the Site Tour > What's New? drop down you can see what is new. Just so many ways to access what you are looking for.

6.) There are so many nice "finds" on the site but one more I have to mention is the ability to be able to contact the teacher if you have a question about the lesson plan. I have helped many new homeschoolers over the years, and I think this is a comforting fact when they are leaving the public school. No, they aren't there to keep grades and track your child's progress but just being able to talk to them when you have a question about their lesson plan is comforting when you begin to homeschool.

My tips for using the site:

• Review the video from Kendra, it only takes a few minutes and you can understand how the website is laid out and the updates made to it.
• Take time to review all the teachers that are on the site preparing the lesson plans and that are recognized in the homeschool world.
• Be sure to click on the MAIN topics for Teacher, Dailies and Extras as those buttons have a main page that introduces that section. It took me a while to figure that out instead of clicking on the drop down menu so quickly. I could better understand that section by reading the overview for it.
• Understand that it covers ALL subjects and you can use it daily, weekly or monthly, as much or as little as you like.
• Appreciate that Schoolhouse Teachers is using utilizing the latest technology in homeschool education. So you can spend part of your day together learning and spend part of it utilizing your techy devices. We are still trying to utilize their Google Earth lesson plan because I was not using Google Earth to its potential. Thankfully, I can go back as many times as I need to since I don't get any of this techy stuff the first time around.
  
• Come back and enjoy it regularly whether you want a little help for the day, or whole lesson plans.
  

If I could add one part that is more defined it would be a Unit Study Shelf. It's true I can utilize many of the ongoing lesson plans as unit studies and topics as unit studies, it would be nice to have a Unit Study Shelf by topic.

I won't part with my old gems but I will add new ones, like the Schoolhouse Teachers, the Teacher's Helper for the homeschool mom. I am probably a bit biased because I was already using this wonderful site before I got asked to do the review. I don't know though if that is biased or better for you?

Name: SchoolhouseTeachers

Website:  Schoolhouseteachers.com

By: The Old Schoolhouse

Price: $1.00 for the first month and $5.95 per month thereafter.I have to share this part right from the website because I can't say it any better than this about what you get.

"There’s more: The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine delivered by TOS straight to your inbox monthly; all The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine digital back issues (easily searchable); a free E-Book every month; and, after 12 months of uninterrupted membership, you’ll receive a $25 gift certificate to the Totally TOS section of The Schoolhouse Store!"

Ages to use it for: ALL of your kids and especially mom.

Access it: At home on your computer or on the go on your Apple or Android device.

>>>> Click below to sign up. Remember it is just a $1.00 for your first month! <<<<

What else have I been working on since I have been enjoying some much needed time off?

Hugs and you know I love ya,

 {Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of this product {and I already had it because I loved it and been using it} through the Schoolhouse 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. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.}

 Itching to read more about this product? Click below to read reviews from my fellow TOS reviewers.