{Review} The Waterproof Bible by Bardin & Marsee

I must admit, I was a bit hesitant to fully test out this Bardin & Marsee resource in my review for Mosaic Reviews. I watched the videos on the website. I looked at the impressive photos. I just could not imagine submerging an entire Bible in water.

The Waterproof Bible is hailed as being 100% Worry Free inside and out. It truly is! I did not realize that durable Bibles such as this Waterproof Bible existed and I am thankful for the opportunity to review this resource. I reviewed the smaller version of New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. I loved it so much that I am going to order a full-size one for family use.

What I enjoyed about the Waterproof Bible:

• It scored serious cool points with my family
• It is available in several popular versions
• Full-size Bible editions are available for purchase
• You can take it outdoors for all sorts of activities (camping, hiking, parks, pools, etc.)
• The New Testament version is easy to carry in a purse
• You can take it to coffee shop meetings without worrying about spills
• This Bible is toddler proof!
• You can use a dry marker or pencil to make notes
• It floats!
• It is a great gift for family and friends in the military, missions, scouts, and outdoor lovers

We can take the Waterproof Bible outdoors without fear of it getting muddy, wet, or exposed to other elements. The compact size makes it very suitable to carry in a backpack for hiking and camping.

If you enjoy marking passages in your Bible, you can use a dry highlighter pencil. Regular liquid highlighter markers will wipe right off. This is one feature that helps make it toddler proof. All spills and accidental doodles wipe clean. The pages are durable and near the same thickness as regular paper. We did not attempt to rip the pages, but they did feel sturdy enough to withstand frequent use.

What you need to know before purchasing:

• Several sizes are available for purchase
• Several color options are available 
• Your kids will want to test out this Bible in water and mud for fun
• If you need a larger print size, you should order the full-size version

At first, Briyah wondered if we really should submerge the Waterproof Bible in water.

It even floats! That is a super handy feature if you take it fishing, swimming, or boating.

After submerging in the water, it dried out very quickly. The water beaded right off the pages. To fully dry, you just stand it on the side and it will dry out completely.

Our family loves the great outdoors! The Waterproof Bible is a unique resource that we can feel confident to take with us on our many adventures. I am now inspired to plan our next camping trip!

 

Product Details:
Title: ESV Waterproof Bible - New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs
Publisher: Bardin Marsee Publishing
Format: Softcover - 100% Waterproof Synthetic Paper and Binding
Retail Price: $24.95 for edition reviewed; several products/prices available

Publisher Description:
ESV Waterproof Bible - New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs

• New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs
• Extremely Durable Synthetic Pages
• 100% Worry Free
• Stain Resistant
• Ultra Clear Text
• Ideal for Gear Bag or Backpack, Tote Bag or Purse
• Dry Highlight
• Write and Underline
• No Bleed Thru
• F L O A T S

The durability of the Waterproof Bible gives you the freedom to take God's Word with you anywhere - lounging, fishing, exercising, traveling, camping, missions... with worry free confidence that your Bible will withstand the test of time.

Connect with the Waterproof Bible:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Vimeo Channel

Be sure to check out what everyone else had to say about the Waterproof Bible over at Mosaic Reviews! The link will be available on Friday, May 17. The Mosaic Reviews team put this resource to the test and the photos are interesting!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this product from Bardin Marsee Publishing to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review for Mosaic Reviews. This author was under no obligation to offer a favorable review. All opinions shared about the product are the honest responses of Sharra Badgley. Your results and opinions may vary.
  

{Review} Ooka Island Adventure

Do your students enjoy online educational games for learning?

Our daughter, nephew, and niece love the dynamic learning environments available in some of their favorite online educational games and mobile apps. Just recently, my nephew was excited to get an introduction to Ooka Island Adventure which I reviewed for Mosaic Reviews.

Ooka Island Adventure is an online reading system for Preschool to 2nd Grade (ages 3-7). This innovative program is an online reading program set up in a virtual world / game play environment.

Ooka Island is structured with a unique three-part Learning Flow Cycle:

1. Guided Play - focuses on phonological / phonic development (20 minute activity).
2. e-Reader - 85 e-Readers focus on word, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension concepts (7-10 minute activity).
3. Free Play - offers students activities that support their literacy development (8 minute activity).

 Nuts and Bolts of Ooka Island's Eye/Ear Reading Method:

• focuses on the five pillars of reading instruction:
• phonemic awareness
• phonetics
• vocabulary
• fluency
• comprehension
• includes 80 hours of leveled and guiding reading activities
• uses visual and auditory skills
• features 562 scaffolded phonological skill activities in the program
• offers 85 leveled and sequenced Ooka Island e-Books

The virtual world of Ooka Island Adventure offers comprehensive literacy activities that are designed for students to achieve results in as little as 8 hours. The program is backed by educational research and proven methods of literacy instruction.

What I enjoyed about the Ooka Island Learn-to-Read System:

• set-up of the program only took minutes to complete
• students pick out their own customized Hero avatar (see Malachi's mohawk in the photo above)
• each daily lesson is approximately 30 minutes of instruction and activities
• the interactive lessons are so fun that Malachi wants to do a few lessons per day
• the innovative READirect is individualized and adapts to each student
• the adaptability makes this program great for all students from gifted to struggling learners
• the student is able to progress at their own natural pace
• Workbook downloads of vocabulary and comprehension activities for the e-Readers 
• Blended Learning activities include a mix of online and print options
• colorful Motivational Tools are available for download
• instant reporting tools for parents through the Lighthouse 
• the Ooka Compass Reading Assessment is available for first grade and above
• a free Ooka Tunes mobile app for iOS is available with sing-along songs from the program

What you need to know before purchasing:

• the program requires a high-speed internet connection
• the FAQs provide detailed answers to questions you may have
• the daily lessons are short (30 minutes) but your child might ask to work on several lessons per day due to the interactive video-game nature
• the program is a virtual-world style, but it is private play with only one student in the system
• the system will not direct your child to outside websites or content
• you can read more about Safety at this link
• you can select a monthly or yearly subscription
• the best discount is available through a yearly family subscription (37% off savings) and you can use the additional 30% off code to maximize the savings
• visit the Video Tour to see the program in action

Malachi is an emergent reader (Kindergarten level) and we use a variety of blended learning resources (print, online, audio, mobile apps) for phonics instructions. At first I was hesitant to rely on an online computer-based system for phonics/reading instruction, but reviewing this resource completely changed my mind! We are able to see immediate results in literacy development. I greatly appreciate the comprehensive reports that are available within the Lighthouse.

The program offers quite a few downloadable resources including the Ooka Island Book Path printables where you can track progress for each level.

One of the greatest selling points for our family is Malachi is excited to do his schoolwork in Ooka Island because it is fun. He typically wants to complete several lessons at a time. He is proud of his accomplishments and the program allows plenty of opportunities to celebrate success with each level gained.

Zolie loves to join in on the fun with her big brother. She is two years old and loves to have school with the big kids too. We enjoyed reviewing Ooka Island Adventure and it is a welcome addition to our curriculum line-up for 2013-14.

 

Product Details:
Title:Ooka Island Adventure
Author(s): Ooka Island Team
Format: Instant Download for Mac or PC; Software on Disc or Flash Drive (shipped)
Retail Price: Home Edition Pricing

Publisher Description:
The Ooka Island Adventure is an adaptive learn-to-read technology for Pre-K to 2nd Grade. The combination of the innovative features below make it a powerful tool to accelerate the reading development of emergent readers as they move along the path to fluent reading.

Special Offer:
You can receive 30% off any annual or monthly subscription to the Ooka Island Learn-to-Read Adventure! Simply Click Here for the link to receive 30% off. This discount offer is only valid through June 1st.

Connect with Ooka Island:
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
YouTube

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this product from Ooka Island to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review for Mosaic Reviews. This author was under no obligation to offer a favorable review. All opinions shared about the product are the honest responses of Sharra Badgley. Your results and opinions may vary.
 

{Review} The Etiquette Factory

Manners and etiquette are topics that we continually practice as a family. With children (including my nephew and niece) ages 10, 6, and 2 in our daily homeschool, we have plenty of opportunities arise where we discuss our interactions with others.

As such, I was absolutely thrilled to have the blessing of reviewing The Etiquette Factory 3 Phase Learning Program for the Mosaic Reviews team. This is our first time using a full curriculum covering etiquette topics.


The Etiquette Factory 3 Phase Learning Program includes:

• Etiquette for Beginners Teacher Manual
• Manual Etiquette for Beginners 2 DVD set
• Etiquette Jukebox CD
• Etiquette Intermediate book
• Etiquette Masters book
• 4 Etiquette Placemats (laminated)

The 3 Phase Learning Program covers etiquette instruction from preschool to high school and beyond. Included in this program are products for three age levels:

Etiquette for Beginners (Preschool through 4th Grade
This program set covers 12 weeks of etiquette lessons and can be used for homeschool, church, and school settings. The program includes a Teacher's Manual with easy to follow lesson plans, activities, stories, Etiquette skills covered include:

• What is Etiquette
• Saying Hello
• Kindness
• Sharing
• Magic Words
• Cleaning Up
• Being a Guest
• Sincere Apologies
• Table Manners
• Good Hygiene
• The "No" Word
• A Clean Mouth is a Cherished Gift

Etiquette Intermediate (4th Grade and above)
This workbook for student and teacher use includes 125 daily etiquette lessons. Each lesson includes instructional text and a suggested activity to practice etiquette. The structure is set up for students to read the lessons and participate in an activity with the parent/teacher. The helpful topics cover everything from communication, eating, cleanliness, thankfulness, to social interactions and special events. The lessons can be used chronologically or as the situation arises.

Table of Contents
Sample Lesson

Etiquette Masters (Teens)
This workbook is for teens ages 13 and beyond and functions as an etiquette reader for students. Etiquette Masters includes 10 Chapters covering:

• How Etiquette Keeps Peace in the Home
• Etiquette While Looking for a Job
• Employee Etiquette
• Becoming a Responsible College Roomate
• Dating Etiquette
• Social Networking Etiquette
• and more!

What I enjoyed about The Etiquette Factory 3 Phase Learning Program:

• It is packaged in a sturdy box for convenient storage.
• The three levels are perfect for families with multiple children.
• The program can be used in the homeschool, church, or traditional school setting.
• The lesson plans in the Etiquette for Beginners Teacher's Manual are very easy to use.
• The Etiquette for Beginners DVD is fun and engaging. The song videos are super cute!
• The DVD is organized with the weekly content of story time and songs.
• The Jukebox CD contains the catchy tunes that correspond with the DVD videos.
• The placemats are durable and laminated for continued use.
• The curriculum includes audio, visual, and kinesthetic activities for all learning styles.
• The Etiquette Intermediate and Etiquette Masters are friendly and practical student readers.

Our family primarily made use of the Etiquette for Beginners and Etiquette Intermediate levels. The kids loved the catchy tunes on the DVD and CD with the beginner level . The songs range in genre from pop, hip-hop, country, and more tunes. The DVD videos include cute kids and which especially appealed to my nephew (6 yrs) and niece (2 yrs). The story time moments are adorable and introduce important concepts in etiquette.

Our daughter (10 yrs) enjoyed the songs as well and joined in on the fun with the younger kids.

The "Set Right" placemats are colorful and provide helpful instruction for setting a table setting properly. They include handy reminders on table etiquette too. They are laminated with sturdy plastic and are made for frequent use.

Our daughter thought the short lessons and activities in Etiquette Intermediate were interesting to read. The daily lessons are brief 15-20 minutes lessons with an activity. I think this will be very simple to implement within our daily homeschooling schedule through the year. The program covers practical topics which are fitting for middle school age students.

We enjoyed using The Etiquette Factory program so much that we are including it in our curriculum line-up for 2013-14. I plan to share it with our children's ministry team at church and we will also use it within our local homeschool co-op. It is a very versatile program for educational settings.

Product Details:
Title: Etiquette Factory 3 Phase Learning Program
Author: Monica Irvine
Publisher: The Etiquette Factory
Format: Softcover (coilbound) books, DVDs, audio CD, placemats
Retail Price: Various Packages and Products Available
Media:



Connect with The Etiquette Factory:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Blog

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this product from The Etiquette Factory to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review for Mosaic Reviews. This author was under no obligation to offer a favorable review. All opinions shared about the product are the honest responses of Sharra Badgley. Your results and opinions may vary.