Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew

My daughter with special needs struggles with her multiplication throughout the years.  I find myself having to revisit multiplication facts often with her. The older she gets the harder it is to keep her attention because you can find all kinds of help for younger kids but how do you help those kids who are older and struggling? Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Multiplication with a Bridge to Division from Math-U-See has not only helped my daughter but kept her dignity without feeling like something for younger kids!

AIM Multiplication is intended for kids 10 and older, and to help those who have not mastered certain concepts with multiplication. It is recommended that your student has already completed a course in multiplication and is struggling or not mastered the concepts of multiplication.  This resource is there to help students before they get into more advanced mathematical concepts and to learn strategies to assist them with multiplication and in turn, become successful in math as it gets more complex. This isn’t an independent curriculum and will involve a parent working one on one with a student. You will be able to pinpoint areas that they struggle with using this course. This isn’t considered a core curriculum and should not replace a math curriculum. This is a supplement to assist your child master multiplication.

The method of teaching comes from:

Accelerated (A) -This is done quickly by teaching math fact strategies.

Individualized (I) -Focus on the individual student to help them succeed in memorizing and applying their math facts.

Mastery (M)- You don’t want to just memorize the math facts but also understand the process.

This is the goal and how you will learn with the Build, Write, Say method of mastering multiplication.

Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Multiplication with a Bridge to Division comes with AIM Multiplication Resource Guide, 57 Math-U-See Integer Blocks, Math Fact Strategy Poster, Fact Check Cards, and a Digital Code.

Once you get your box you will need to set up the digital component with a code included in the box to access the digital component of the program. You will need to either create an account or log into your Demme Learning account.

A few requirements to consider before using the course that Math-U-See recommends would be able to multiply by zero and one, recall basic addition and subtracts facts quickly, know place value concepts of hundreds, tens, and ones. They should be able to add and subtract two-digit numbers and be able to know the concept of finding half of a number like half of ten is five.

There is an online AIM for Success video to watch before you proceed. This will give you a general overview and how to use it with your student. You will also find information in your AIM Multiplication Resource Guide.

Your first step is to do an assessment for your student that is found in your book. You will want to inform your student that it is okay to not know the answer and to tell you if they don’t. You can do the assessment in 1-2 minute intervals and take a break and continue this format until they have completed it. This is an oral assessment. This will give you a baseline of how much your student can recall with multiplication. At the end of the course, you will also do another  assessment.  

AIM Multiplication Resource Guide and the Digital content you will have a total of 10 lessons and 2 bridge lessons into division. There is information to teach your child the steps using step-by-step techniques on each of the 10 lessons. In each lesson, you will work on additional activities using online worksheets, flashcards, and other activities. I love that this is a hands-on and visual program that has you Build, Write, and Say. 

The lessons are no more than 15 minutes at a time. Once you have done your 15 minutes you stop and come back to it later or even another day. Each lesson is broken down into four parts from A-D and build upon one another. You watch a video and you can watch the videos online over and over. We always started each session with the video. That is not necessary to watch it each time but it was what was needed with my daughter. Session A and B is the hands-on portion with the Build, Write, Say Method where you are using the manipulatives. Session C  you go on to applying what you have learned with word problems which demonstrates use and builds that foundation. Session D  is working on memorizing the facts and then working on mastery and fully understanding the concept of multiplication. You want to get to the point where they are not relying on the Integer blocks by the time you are in section D. There are worksheets you can print out and even ones you can color. You can go at your own pace throughout the program. You don’t move forward in the lessons until you have mastered the fact family you are working on.

You can use the Multiplication Facts Mastery Chart (found in the Digital Toolbox) by having them color the facts they have mastered. You can also use Fact Check Cards flashcards to practice the facts. Each flashcard has 3 stars at the bottom that they have to be able to recall the facts quickly. You will continue to revisit all the problems throughout the lessons to maintain that math fact mastery. To be more successful they recommend that you don’t jump around in the lessons.

My daughter liked the large Math Fact Strategy Poster and Fact Check Cards. The size was good for her to see them easily and to read the words on them.

In the margins of your AIM, Multiplication Resource Guide is teaching tips, notes to prepare for a lesson, resources, and material to print out in the digital resource section. They vary with each lesson.

There are games to play like Cooking with Facts, Mathsketball, Lights Out, and several others in the Digital Toolbox.

The digital component will demonstrate how to use the blocks for that particular math fact family.

How Did I Use Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Multiplication with a Bridge to Division in My Homeschool?

My daughter is now 18 and has several learning disabilities. She regresses often and I find us back at square one going over the basics often. For some crazy reason multiplication always seems the worst skill she loses. She just needs a restart often to get back the skills she lost. Currently, she is working at a 4th grade level with most concepts in math, and last year she was doing 6^th-grade concepts. She has been struggling lately with math. 

We started with the Before-Assessment verbally. This confirmed what I felt that she was suddenly not remembering certain math fact again as her score was very low. As you can see my dilemma is unique with her. When she is not regressing with her facts she is super-fast recalling her facts and figuring and leaves everyone else in the dust.

We watched the videos together and worked on each session slowly this time around. She has been a bit embarrassed lately with her math skills and has realized that for her age that her skill level is not typical for her grade. She doesn’t like it and has been getting frustrated lately. The course is gamey and just gets to the point which is what she needs with her age and there is no fluff teaching. This time we have been going slowly and she is just not catching on as quick. We are on lesson 6 and I'm starting to see her speed increase as the skills are coming back. I suspect we will finish up the rest at a quicker pace.

The slow step by step process in short sessions helps her and builds her confidence.

She loves demonstrating the skills to me. For example one problem, “Seven elephants each ate ten peanuts. How many peanuts did they eat all together?” This is in Lesson 4-Session B in which she has to explain the process to me by demonstrating it or teach it back to me using the integer blocks. This is her favorite part of the program is her teaching me! If she isn’t able to then we go back over the Build, Write, Say approach until she has it mastered.

Math-U-See has been very instrumental in my homeschool throughout the years. I’m so glad to see this resource to help kids who struggle to grasp some of the basics concepts that so many of us take for granted.

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I would recommend Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Multiplication with a Bridge to Division from Math-U-See. Other families have been using this program in their homeschool you can see what others have to say by clicking here or on the graphic below.

 

Can Captain Wyvern keep his new marriage of convenience all business--or will it turn into something more?

Captain Charles Wyvern owes a great debt to the man who saved his life--especially since Major Richardson lost his own life in the process. The best way to honor that hero's dying wish is for Wyvern to escort the man's grieving fiancé and mother safely to a new cottage home by the sea. But along the way, he learns of another obligation that has fallen on his shoulders: his uncle has died and the captain is now the Earl of Rothwell.

When he and the ladies arrive at his new manor house in Devon, they discover an estate in need of a leader and a gaggle of girls, all wards of the former earl. War the new earl knows; young ladies and properties he does not. Still wishing to provide for the bereaved Lady Sophia Haverly, Charles proposes a marriage of convenience.

Sophie is surprised to find she isn't opposed to the idea. It will help her care for her betrothed's elderly mother, and she's already fallen in love with the wayward girls on the Rothwell estate. This alliance is a chance to repay the captain who has done so much for her care, as well as divert her attention from her grief. When Wyvern returns to his sea commission, she'll stay behind to oversee his property and wards.

It sounds so simple. Until the stalwart captain is arrested on suspicion of smuggling, and Sophie realizes how much he's come to mean to her. Now she'll have to learn to fight, not only for his freedom but also for his love.

My Thoughts:

 A much anticipated third book in The Serendipity & Secrets and the conclusion to this amazing book series.

 The story has a recurring theme of someone suddenly becoming an Earl with reluctance. The book is predictable for the most part with a few events that are unexpected. It doesn’t take away from this fantastic read. The unexpected Earl is Captain Charles Wyvern. He has a lot of guilt with his friend dying to save his Captain’s life. His friend had a fiancée Sophia. All Charles ever wanted in life was to be a Captain out in the open seas. With the sudden death of his Uncle and becoming an Earl of Rothwell his life must take on a different direction.

Captain Charles Wyvern has given his word to his dying friend to look after his mother and his fiancée Lady Sophia Haverly. To add to the situation he finds out there are three young kids who are living on the Rothwell Estate. Both Sophia and Charles are thrust into raising kids. Sophia was already taking care of her fiancé’s mother while he was a way.

I love that we are reacquainted with characters from the other books in the series. My favorite is Marcus Haverly which is significant in this book too! I love all the characters and the plot.

The story is a real heartfelt book and Erica Vetsch has done an amazing job researching the era and the whole upper class of the era. This is an amazing Christian Historical Romance.

Now for the giveaway, you can click here or on the graphic.

About the author: 

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling and ACFW Carol Award–winning author. She is a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota with her husband, who she claims is both her total opposite and soul mate. 

Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.

A self-described history geek, she has been planning her first research trip to England.

Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found :

 Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor),

 Instagram (@EricaVetsch) 

 Pinterest (Erica Vetsch). 

I received a copy of this product 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 information accordance with the FTC Regulations.

 Former FBI Special Agent Jack Tanner is working as a detective in Montana when he comes across a body in the national forest during a search and rescue mission. He's committed to finding the killer, even if it means working alongside his old flame, US Forest Service Special Agent Terra Connors.

When Terra discovers that the murder victim had ties to a powerful and dangerous trafficker of archaeological artifacts, the investigation takes a deadly turn--one that hits too close to home. As Terra fears she lacks the courage to face what comes next, Jack is more determined than ever to protect her. But he's failed her before. And if he fails this time, it will cost them far more than just their hearts.

Join bestselling and award-winning author Elizabeth Goddard as she plunges you into a web of deceit made of hidden crimes, open threats, and long-buried family secrets in this gripping first book of an explosive new series.

My Thoughts:

Another new author for me to look for books with! A new book series to keep on my reading radar in the future.

The book starts out with a lot of action as the plane is going down in the mountains. No grisly details with the crash and the survivors our not. It picks up to the main characters FBI Special Agent Jack Tanner and US Forest Agent Terra Connors.

To add to the intrigue you have a missing pilot, some ancient artifacts, dead body, and lots of secrets and mystery within the story plot. The characters and plot are well developed and keeps riveted to the book. You find yourself trying to put the clues into place and guessing throughout the story. I like the complexity of the characters and they are very realistic.

I enjoyed the archaeological aspect of it with the artifacts and how it is trafficked. It was interesting aspect of the plot. It ties the victims, crimes and threats together as they investigate the mystery.

If you’re looking for a good suspense with action coming from a Christian worldview you might enjoy this story. I have really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next book in the series.

 I received a free copy of this product from Revell 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 information accordance with the FTC Regulations.

 

 Love may be right around the corner in the heartwarming, sweet, and gentle Pine Creek series from Amity Hope.

After the death of her beloved father, Emma Ziegler just wants to keep her family’s maple syrup farm afloat and raise her two young siblings. But when her meddling aunt’s first choice of a husband for her turns out to be Emma’s last choice—Pine Creek’s most notorious bachelor—Emma grows desperate. Her aunt won’t listen, no matter how much she tries to tell her the man in no way embodies the Amish values of faith or hard work.

Kind and industrious Levi Bontrager has always wanted to protect his best friend Emma, even after a secret from their youth left them growing apart. Which is why he steps in to claim that Emma cannot wed anyone else, as she is currently courting him. Yes, the small lie leaves him feeling guilty, but Levi’s hope is that if he can win back the beautiful Emma’s trust, he can also win over her heart...for real.

But can a courtship that began just for show ever blossom into a true romance that could save both their futures?

 My Thoughts:

 I enjoy the Amish genre with the simplicity of life they have which is such a huge difference from our modern day lives. A lot of them seem similar in the plot and seem a lot alike. This story felt different and was enjoyable.

This is a precious story despite the fact of the loss of a mother and father. Emma is a young lady that is raising her siblings and trying to keep the family farm together. While she has an amazing aunt she means well but, makes things complicated when she tries to secure her a husband.

Emma is a strong character and the author has done an amazing job creating her character as a realistic young woman with many challenges. Another main character is Levi Bontrager who is a long time friend. They are trying to make is seem as they are courting to keep Emma’s aunt in check of getting her a husband. As you can quess they find a spark from their friendship. I love the siblings and Levi’s interaction with Emma’s brother.

 It was interesting learning about chickens and maple syrup. A sweet story that I look forward to other books in this series.

 I received a free copy of this product 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 information in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

 

Willow Dupré never thought she would have to marry, but with her father’s unexpected retirement from running the prosperous Dupré sugar refinery, she is forced into a different future. The shareholders are unwilling to allow a female to take over the company without a man at her side, so her parents devise a plan–find Willow a spokesman king in order for her to become queen of the business empire.

Willow is presented with thirty potential suitors from the families of New York society’s elite group called the Four Hundred. She has six months to court the group and is told to eliminate men each month to narrow her beaus until she chooses one to marry, ending the competition with a wedding. Willow reluctantly agrees, knowing she must do what is best for the business. She doesn’t expect to find anything other than a proxy . . . until she meets a gentleman who captures her attention, and she must discover for herself if his motives are pure.

 My Thoughts:

I have wanted something different to read from my usual genre and thought that this book looked intriguing. Grace Hitchcock is also a new author for me.

The book sounds like a modern-day Bachelorette reality show but back in the 1880s without the cameras and show producers. Not something I have ever watched or care to watch personally. I’m just a stickler for historical romance.

Willow wants to run her father’s business but the shareholders will not have it. She must find a husband if she is to take over her family’s business when her father retires. Her father comes up with thirty suitors from an elite group of men to stay in their mansion. Can you imagine six months to decide! Some of the men she knows like one she considers a long-time friend, an old crush, and many unknown men. She wants to marry for love and not just to satisfy her father’s company shareholders.

Willow is smart and is very capable of running her father’s business. She is a strong character and seeks God for guidance. She lacked some common sense in questioning her suitors and probably did some things in that era that are probably no-no’s. Some of the men aren’t who they say they are like reporters and those who would love to see ill intentions against Willow and her family.

As you can imagine there are a lot of characters in this book but don’t worry you don’t have a lot to keep track of as Willow narrows down the suitors. Just like good books things happen towards the end that causes drama. People aren’t who they say they are.

So for a family with so much money, I found it hard that the father didn’t investigate the narrowed down list and there are a few other things that just seemed out of place for the era. Overall the book was entertaining and the plot interesting. Probably not my favorite book I have read but it wouldn’t deter me to not read the next book in the series or from the author.

I received this from Bethany House Publishers 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. 

 

In a small Virginia town, outside a mysterious government facility, four homeschooled teenagers investigate a series of murders and other crimes while wrestling with challenges of faith, family, and the transition from childhood to adulthood. A tragic explosion devastates the town of Steven’s Mill, Virginia. Was it an accident, or was it part of a larger plot to take over the town and shut down the work going on at the secret command center? With gripping drama and entertainment from a faith-based perspective, the story’s characters wrestle with tragedy, danger, and mystery while also pursuing relationships with God.

My Thoughts:

Not too often do you come across a book with kiddos that are homeschoolers. I love that my kids have characters in books that are homeschooled like them. Not all books are typical homeschoolers and make you want to cringe! No odd kids that aren’t socialized, and portray realistic homeschool kids and family overall. Now that I got that out of the way I can move on to the story.

The characters come from a Christian family and take their faith serious. At the same time it feels like it is real life everyday faith and the story doesn’t come off as preachy. The characters are many and all of them are unique and it makes the story fun.

I haven’t watched any of the movies or even knew about them before I read the book. My kids like books that have mystery, suspense, and intrigue. The book keeps a good pace and the plot is interesting. I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this product from FrontGate Blogger Network 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 information in accordance with the FTC Regulations. 

Visit the website and find out more here. You can also read the first two chapters here.

Enter to win a book giveaway by clicking on the graphic below.

I received a free copy of this product from FrontGate Blogger Network 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 information in accordance with the FTC Regulations.