A TOS Review: FishFlix

In today's world, we have so many choices on how to spend our time and money - especially when it comes to entertainment. Going to the movies or renting a video is a common family activity. But how often do you feel like your money was wasted or your time could have been better spent? And how often do you feel like you should have set a better example for your kids in the movie choices you make for your family? I know I have had that dilemma many times, and sometimes I think I'm ready to swear off Hollywood and the movie industry completely. Then recently, I had the opportunity to do a review for FishFlix.com, Christian movies to inspire and entertain. I was happy to get to watch the DVD When Calls the Heart, Heart of the Family with my kids.

FishFlix is striving to give families a wide range of entertainment possibilities that are appropriate and enjoyable for all ages. They believe the media industry is a gift from God that should be used as a way to spread His word. With this goal in mind, they have chosen to compile the best and highest quality movies and TV series that honor Christ.

When Calls the Heart, Heart of the Family is the adapted rendition of the popular series from famed author, Jeanette Oke. The story focuses on wealthy young schoolteacher Elizabeth Thatcher who breaks from tradition and heads west to follow her dream of making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Along the way, she makes new friendships, learns much about herself, and grows in her relationship with God. 

In this movie (one of many in the Hallmark series), Elizabeth has just returned to Coal Valley from spending time with her family back east. She immediately volunteers to care for a neighbor's children while he travels out of town, only to be surprised at the difficult and abundant way of life of this small, motherless family. Her friend and would-be suitor, as well as Canadian Mountie Jack, comes to her rescue and assists her with the outdoor chores. More storylines of the eclectic citizens of small town Coal Valley make this an entertaining and very family friendly movie.

I was familiar with the book series by Jeanette Oke, but it had been years since I had read them. I did not remember many of the characters or storylines, so I had to re-familiarize myself with Coal Valley. I think there were many changes and adaptations to make the movie series work, but I still enjoyed it very much. I also didn't realize how far into the series I was when we watched this. I believe this was probably the 10th installment of the Hallmark series, so I would love to watch the others and see what I missed. 

While I was a little lost due to coming into the series so far in, I liked the movie immensely. All of the kids really enjoyed the movie as well, and they loved the "city girl gone country" storyline. We look forward to watching more of this series in the future. 

FishFlix prides itself on providing quality, Christian family entertainment, including today's top new releases in Christian film. I plan on looking through their inventory this holiday season and making some gift purchases. This DVD was only $9.97, half off the retail price. Movies from the first season are only $5 - I suggest you look here for your Christmas list, as well!

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Many of my fellow reviewers received different movies from FishFlix. Check out their reviews here:

Crew Blog 2016 about to set sea!

Have you ever wondered how I get my hands on all the things I review? Have you ever thought you'd be good at it, or would like a chance to try it? Well, here is your chance! The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew 2016 is about to begin the application process, and I wanted to give YOU the chance to get in on the fhn! Here is the link with much. More information. Good luck!!


http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/come-learn-about-how-you-can-join-2016-schoolhouse-review-crew/

A TOS Review: Reading Kingdom

For many children, reading can be a difficult task to master. For others, it seems that they just pick it up without any problem. As of now, I have taught four children to read, all using the same technique and program. That is one reason I was glad to review Reading Kingdom's program, Reading Kingdom Online, a new online Learn to Read program for ages four to ten years old.

Reading Kingdom teaches reading proficiency up to a third grade level. According to the Department of Education, only one out of three children is considered a proficient reader. It is the most important skill that we can teach our children, and yet so many are falling short. Reading Kingdom is dedicated to teaching children to read in a nonthreatening, entertaining environment that makes learning this necessary skill seem like fun and games. 

While most reading programs are phonics based, Reading Kingdom rounds out the learning with the other 5 skills necessary to achieve reading proficiency. Those skills are: sequencing, writing, sounds, meaning, grammar and comprehension.

The most interesting thing about Reading Kingdom, in my opinion, is how the program adapts to each child. First, the student takes a Skills Survey. Once the assessment of the student's reading and writing skills is complete, the computer places the student exactly at the point that the student needs to be. There is no relearning information they already have learned, and there is no frustration with being introduced to skills he or she is not ready to learn.

Caleb is a second grader, and a fairly good reader. However, he is definitely all boy, and taking the time to sit down to read for fun has not been on his radar as of yet. So when we found out he would be reviewing this, I wasn't sure if it was going to be a very good fit. Well, Caleb has been using Reading Kingdom for a month now, at least 4 days a week. He is loving it! The Skills Survey placed him, and on he went. There is a key word to each lesson, and I admit, this had me wondering what exactly we had gotten ourselves into. It seemed so basic, and I felt like he was doing more to improve typing skills than reading. I felt he was placed in a level much too low simply because his typing wasn't quick enough, and I thought he'd be very frustrated. But as I watched him progress through the "games", I saw how much content he was absorbing, such as:

• letter recall
• word recognition
• phonemic awareness
• capitalization
• punctuation
• and so much more!

While, yes, being placed on a lower level was a bit of a frustration, I can now see that it was for the best. He can read words much more difficult than what he is working through. But since he isn't bored and is thoroughly enjoying the program, I haven't deemed it necessary to manually move him up a level. I believe that the content reviewed has been excellent, and the skills being taught will serve him well. And he is definitely getting more familiar with where the letters are found on the keyboard!

We have a lot more to learn about this program, but what I've seen so far has been excellent. I am happy we had the chance to review Reading Kingdom. It is not something I would have looked at for Caleb, simply because I would have thought a program that taught reading wouldn't be necessary for a child who is already reading well. But I am so glad he is able to sharpen his skills, improve  upon what he already knows, and even progress in other areas. I am looking forward to seeing how much more he learns on the next levels of the program.

To follow Reading Kingdom on social media, check them out here:

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To read what other TOS Reviewers thought of Reading Kingdom, see more reviews here: