Homeschool Review Crew Favorites for 2017

Two weeks ago I posted my last review for the 2017 Crew year. I still can't believe the Crew year is over. We were so blessed to have received so many wonderful products. All in all, it came to 36 wonderful products we reviewed for the Schoolhouse Review Crew in 2017.

While this year has come to a close, I received some wonderful news last night. I have been accepted back for the 2018 Crew Year! From what has been hinted at, it looks like 2018 will be another amazing year.

Before we were able to move on, we had one last Crew responsibility to fulfill before our end-of-year break. It was time to vote for our favorite Crew items, this is known as The Blue Ribbon Awards.  I have to tell you, this was quite the difficult task. We loved SO MANY of the products we received this year.

Below you will find the winners in all of the many categories. If we reviewed the product that won, the link will lead to my review. If we didn't review that product, the link will direct you to the Schoolhouse Review Crew anchor post.

Favorite Reading Curriculum – Reading Eggs
Favorite Writing Curriculum – Writing with Sharon Watson
Favorite Grammar Program – Eclectic Foundations
Favorite Penmanship Program – Channie’s Visual Handwriting & Math Worksheets
Favorite Literature Curriculum – Hewitt Homeschooling

Out of these Language Arts products, we used three of them. We did not review Reading Eggs, as we had used other curriculum during the year and really didn't need another one at the time. I had voted for The Crafty Classroom, as Harold just loved using the Learn to R.E.A.D. Curriculum Notebook. We actually didn't use a writing curriculum this year, so I didn't vote in that category. Hannah was the one who used both Eclectic Foundations and the Easy Peasy Cursive Workbook from Channie's and we loved them both. Amelia enjoyed the Grade 3 Lightning Lit Set from Hewitt Homeschooling.

Favorite Social Studies Curriculum – Let’s Go Geography
Favorite History Supplement – Rush Revere
Favorite Science Curriculum – Innovators Tribe
Favorite Math Curriculum – CTC Math
Favorite Math Supplement – Times Tables the Fun Way

Social Studies, History, Science, and Math wrap up the rest of the "core" curriculum categories. Out of the five winners above, we used and voted for four of them. We really enjoyed learning about different countries using Let's Go Geography and I plan to continue using it after our winter break. The Adventures of Rush Revere books were a huge hit in the house, Liberty the time-traveling horse being our favorite character. We even have a stuffed Liberty. We didn't have the opportunity to review any science products this year, so I didn't get to vote in that category. CTC Math is by far our favorite math program. I was thrilled to be able to review it again this year and plan to continue using it. Times Tables the Fun Way was our first review of the 2017 Crew year and the girls really enjoyed the program. 

Favorite Foreign Language Curriculum – Memoria Press (Latin)
Favorite Fine Arts Curriculum – Creating a Masterpiece
Favorite Elective Curriculum – Doctor Aviation
Favorite Christian Education Curriculum – Drive Thru History
Favorite Christian Education Supplement – Brinkman Adventures

Out of all the elective resources above, we reviewed three of them, though I only voted for two. Tabitha and I enjoyed using Latina Christiana from Memoria Press. We have put it aside though for awhile. I plan on taking it back out again next year when we will be learning about ancient Rome. We didn't have the opportunity to review Creating a Masterpiece. Our vote for Favorite Fine Arts Curriculum went to ArtAchieve. We had the privilege of using the Entire Level II this year, and last year we had actually reviewed Level I. Drive Thru History: The Gospels was an amazing resource for digging into the Bible during the time of Jesus. As for the favorite Christian education supplement, we loved season 4 of the Brinkman Adventures. However, we also loved The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls books from Worthy Publishing. I had a very hard time choosing between the two. I would have loved for either of them to have won. 

Favorite Preschool Product – Reading Eggs
Favorite Elementary Product – Susan K. Marlow
Favorite Middle School Product – Innovators Tribe
Favorite High School Product – Doctor Aviation
Favorite College or College-Prep Product – Institute for Excellence in Writing: High School Essay Intensive
Favorite Parent Product – Everyday Homemaking

Of the above resources, we only reviewed two of them. In fact, I was only eligible to vote in two of the categories as I only have elementary school age children. While we did review the first two books of the Circle C. Stepping Stones series by Susan K. Marlow, I did not actually vote for them. Don't get me wrong, we loved the books and hope to get more of them. However, I had to vote for CTCMath as our favorite Elementary product this year. I did vote for Everyday Homemaking as the Everyday Chore System has been such a help in getting our household organized this year. We have continued to use this chore system and I don't plan to stop anytime soon. 

The Resource I Didn’t Know I Needed –  Innovators Tribe
Favorite Planning Product – Only Passionate Curiosity
Best Online Resource – Reading Eggs
Best e-Product – Home School in the Woods
Favorite Book or Novel – Rush Revere
Favorite Audiobook or Audio Drama – Heirloom Audio Productions: Captain Bayley’s Heir
Best Product Just for Fun! – Drive Thru History

Out of the above resources, we reviewed four of them. Again, the Innovators Tribe wasn't something my children were old enough for. I actually voted for the Everyday Chore System for my favorite resource I didn't know I needed. I did use the Homeschool Rescue course from Only Passionate Curiosity, though I didn't vote for it. As for Best Online Resource? I again voted for CTCMath. We didn't have a chance to review Home School in the Woods. My vote for best e-Product went to The Magic Stories (you can actually win a set of these wonderful books in my giveaway which ends December 2nd).  And yes, the Adventures of Rush Revere books did receive our vote for favorite book or novel. Though we did review Captain Bayley's Heir, I actually voted for the other Heirloom Audio Productions Audio Drama we reviewed this year, In the Reign of Terror. We enjoyed that one just a tad more. I am thrilled to see Drive Thru History won the best product just for fun. However, I actually didn't vote for it in this category. I didn't quite see it as a "just for fun" product. I ended up voting for the Daily Bible Jigsaw app from Planet 316

And for the all-around favorites:

Kids’ Choice – The Pencil Grip: Thin Stix
Teens’ Choice – Drive Thru History
All Around Crew Favorite – Drive Thru History

Each of the children got to vote for their favorite product in the Kids' Choice category. Of course, we didn't have anyone to vote in the Teens' Choice. And I got to vote too.

I would like to take a moment to highlight my children's all around favorites. 

Harold loved using Whistlefritz to learn Spanish.

It was no surprise to me when Hannah picked The Magic Stories.

Amelia did surprise me by voting for Times Tables the Fun Way. 

But it wasn't a surprise when Tabitha voted for Latina Christiana from Memoria Press.

Don't forget to check out the Homeschool Review Crew blog to see what my fellow Crew Mates have to share about their favorites. 

Schoolhouse Review Crew Favorites 2015

Last week I posted my last review for the 2015 Crew year. It was a busy week. For some strange reason I chose to sign up for 3 Crew reviews that were due one right after the other. And then to top it off, I had another non-Crew review that needed posted. Yes, I was exhausted.  However, we were so blessed to have received these products, along with all the other products we reviewed this past year. All in all, that comes to 31 wonderful products reviewed for the Schoolhouse Review Crew in 2015.

Besides posting my final review last week, I also had some wonderful news. I have been accepted back for the 2016 Crew Year! From what has been hinted at, it looks like 2016 will be another amazing year.

Before we move on, we had one last Crew responsibility to fulfill before our end-of-year break. It was time to vote for our favorite Crew items, this is known as The Blue Ribbon Awards.  I have to tell you, this was quite the difficult task. We loved SO MANY of the products we received this year. Below you will find the winners in all of the many categories. If we reviewed the product that won, the link will lead to my review. If we didn't review that product, the link will direct you to the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog post.

Favorite Reading Curriculum: Reading Kingdom
Favorite Writing Curriculum: Institute for Excellence in Writing
Favorite Vocabulary Program: Dynamic Literacy
Favorite Spelling Program: Institute for Excellence in Writing: Phonetic Zoo
Favorite Grammar Program: Institute for Excellence in Writing: Fix-It! Grammar
Favorite Penmanship Program: CursiveLogic
Favorite Literature Curriculum: Progeny Press

Out of these Language Arts products, we used 4 of them. Though Reading Kingdom wasn't my favorite, Hannah had voted for it as she loved that it was teaching her to read. Personally, I voted for First Start Reading from Memoria Press. I had voted for Dynamic Literacy (which was used by Tabitha) and CursiveLogic (which was used by Amelia). Tabitha is using Phonetic Zoo; however, I had actually voted for the other spelling program we used this year. Amelia is using Alpha Omega's Horizons Spelling and Vocabulary which I do really did like just a bit more.

Favorite History Curriculum: Home School in the Woods
Favorite History Supplement: Heirloom Audio Productions: In Freedom's Cause
Favorite Science Curriculum: Visual Learning Systems
Favorite Science Supplement: Ann McCallum Books: Eat Your Science Homework
Favorite Math Curriculum: CTC Math
Favorite Math Supplement: SimplyFun

History, Science, and Math wrap up the rest of the "core" curriculum categories. Out of the 6 winners above, we used 2 of them, though I only voted for 1. We have enjoyed all of the Heirloom Audio Productions we have reviewed. This year we reviewed both In Freedom's Cause and With Lee In Virginia. However, my favorite History supplement was not either of these audio dramas. We have really enjoyed the book I just posted my review for: Ann McCallum Books: Eat Your U.S. History Homework. I did vote for SimplyFun though, as we really did enjoy playing Expanders.

Favorite Christian Education Curriculum: Grapevine Studies
Favorite Christian Education Supplement: Brinkman Adventures
Favorite Foreign Language Curriculum: Middlebury Interactive Language
Favorite Fine Arts Product: Maestro Classics
Favorite Elective Curriculum: Apologia Educational Ministries: Field Trip Journal
Favorite Audio Drama: Brinkman Adventures
Favorite  Video: FishFlix.com

Out of all the elective resources above, we reviewed all 6 of them. Most of the above did receive our vote. I did vote for Brinkman Adventures; however, I only did so in the "Favorite Audio Drama" category. And we really enjoyed Do You Believe? from FishFlix. However, it was such a toss up for me for favorite video. I also enjoyed Indoctrination, which we reviewed earlier in the year. I ended up voting for Indoctrination as it was a very powerful documentary that I feel is very important in this day and age. 

Favorite Preschool Product: La La Logic
Favorite Elementary Product: Star Toaster
Favorite Middle School Product: The Critical Thinking Co
Favorite High School Product: Writing with Sharon Watson
Favorite College or College-Prep Product: Freedom Project Education
Favorite Parent Product: Koru Naturals
Favorite Planning Product: Apologia Educational Ministries: The Ultimate Homeschool Planner

Of the above resources, we only reviewed 2 of them. In fact, I was only eligible to vote in 4 of the categories as I only have young children. La La Logic did receive our vote as we feel it is a wonderful resource for young children. Unfortunately, I have such sensitive skin, that I was unable to vote for Koru Naturals, though it received raving reviews from most of my fellow reviewers. 

Best Resource I Didn't Know I Needed: Homeschool Planet
Best Online Resource: Super Teacher Worksheets
Best e-Product: Home School in the Woods
Just for Fun: USAopoly
Kids' Choice: La La Logic
Teens' Choice: YWAM Publishing
All Around Crew Favorite: Institute for Excellence in Writing

In this final grouping of winners, we reviewed 5 of the resources.  Homeschool Planet is a wonderful online planner, and I voted for it in the earlier category of "Favorite Planning Product." I love Super Teacher Worksheets. There are so many amazing worksheets that I have been using with the children. However, remember I said it was hard make choices? Well, it was a bit of a toss up between Super Teacher Worksheets and La La Logic, and La La Logic won out. We all absolutely loved playing Tapple and Wonky from USAopoly, and I was glad to see it had won. I actually had voted for YWAM in the History/Social Studies Curriculum, we just didn't have a vote in the "Teen's Choice" category.

I would like to take a moment to highlight our families all around favorites. 

Harold loves getting on the computer to use La La Logic. 

Hannah surprised me by picking Reading Kingdom as her favorite product. I didn't realize she was enjoying it so much. She loves that it is teaching her to read.

Amelia chose USAopoly. We all did enjoying playing both Tapple and Wonky though. 

Tabitha also surprised me in voting for Middlebury Interactive Languages. I knew she was enjoying learning French, I just didn't realize she enjoyed it that much. I was thrilled to learn that this had blessed her this year. 

My all around favorite from the 2015 Crew year has got to be Indoctrination. I actually voted for it in a few other categories. It is a wonderful resource and I was quite surprised that it didn't win in any category. 

Don't forget to check out the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog to see what my fellow Crew Mates have to share about their favorites.