Spaceflight Academy - Gold Coast

Recently we were lucky enough to be invited along to the brand new Space Flight Academy which is about to open to the public here on the Gold Coast

If you have children that aspire to be an astronaut, a pilot or to work in the field of space flight in any way then you really need to get them down to the Space Flight Academy.

Upstairs you will find the lecture room, which would hold up to 40 people seated. Here you will be given an introductory run down on the simulators that are housed below on the ground level.

Space Flight Academy is recommended for children 11 and over. And rightly so, this is not kids party stuff, this is a serious space flight learning experience.

Here the kids are being trained on how to use the fighter jet controls.

Behind the lecture space is a second smaller class room area, where the academy has plans to hold high school level science classes, in topics such as aerodynamics and rocketry.

Our group was split in two, with one half heading straight into the fighter jet simulators.

This experience was much harder and way more involved than the kids every imagined. They all really enjoyed themselves, although it is something that you want to be coming back for again and again so you can perfect your skills.

The other half of the group were preparing to send some of their crew members into space. So some of them entered and worked in Mission Control, which is completely decked out like an actual control room and works in a similar fashion to one. Those working in the control room watch the space flight and converse with the astronauts during the flight.

The simulator in which the cadets use to train and head into to space with.

Their first briefing, of all the goings on inside the simulator. As you can see they are fully equipped with uniforms, and helmets which gives them radio access to Mission Control.

All smiles after his first successful space launch!

Around the room is other space themed paraphernalia with some of them being available for visitors to sit inside and take a closer look around.

I really would not like to be traveling through space in this little thing. Those are some very brave people!

Overall this was a fabulous experience and we were extremely chuffed to be one of the very first groups to go through the centre. Well done to the Space Flight Academy for making this happen. It will be such an asset to the Gold Coast area.

Happy Homeschooling,
Kylie

Times Tales ~ A Review

For the past few weeks we've been enjoying a highly entertaining way to help learn multiplication with this fun program called Times Tales from The Trigger Memory Co.

We were provided with a complete copy of times tales in order for my child to use and review.

What Is Times Tales.

Times Tables is a fun, creative way to aid in learning the upper times tables. The times tables are introduced via quirky simple little animated mnemonics to aid in learning. The program also includes printable practice worksheets to use as re-enforcement.

How We Used The Program

Times Tales is a breeze to use. The program is broken into two parts. It is recommended that the child watches part one, learns the mnemonics and practices with the supplemental worksheets and flashcards for at least a week before moving on to part two.

Although we received this product primarily for my daughter who is currently in the land of multiplication right now, we all watched the animations. The animations used are simple line drawings that have been brought to life. They are not boring by any means though, each character has a little personality of its own.

Each character, represents a number. In the very early stage of the program you are first introduced to the individual characters. For example, the number 3 can be seen in the wings of the butterfly, the number 7 is known as Mrs Week, the number 8 can easily be seen in Mrs Snowman and so on.

How the characters interact with each other in each of their simple stories is how they relate to multiplication. For example, here Mrs Snowman (the number 8) stands on a chair (the number) to reach her 3 buttons and 2 mittens. The mnemonic is first introduced as page in a story, from there it opens out into a short animation to help the child learn the story related to each character.

In the very early stages the program simply has the child learning the stories. After they have worked through several the program comes to a game and quiz area so the children can check how they are going. I was pleasantly surprised to see that not only my daughter but also my youngest memorised the stories quite easily and relatively accurately from the very first viewing.

Only after the stories have been learned does the program then introduce the actual times table. So the example I used above of Mrs Snowman, once the child learns the story they use the numbers in the story. Therefore 8 x 4 = 32.

It's really quite a simple premise but one that for us so far us been effective. If we ever forget a times table we can use the characters as a prompt to remind us until they become automatic.

The easiest way to understand this is to see it in action, this short clip will give you a brief overview of the program.




To see more simply visit the times tales website where you can download for free a small component of the entire program. That way you can see for yourself how simple this really is.

What We Didn't Like About This Program

This is such a simple concept and such an easy program to add into your day, there really isn't anything I can find about it that I don't like.

If you choose to order the download the files are really quite large so just be aware if your internet connection isn't all that great.

The only other point I would raise is that of double learning, which I do suppose Times Tales does fit under. There are some education experts that dispute double learning because the child actually needs to learn the item twice. So here in this example, the child learns the story and then needs to relate that story to a number and eventually learns the actual times tables using numbers only.

Whilst I understand the premise behind double learning, in this particular instance, for us, it has been in no way a hindrance. In fact it has helped in many ways. The visual component has really helped the kids see the times tables as they are shown right before their eyes with moving pictures and sound.

What We Did Like About Times Tales

The ease of use is hands down the winning point for me here. Honestly it doesn't get much easier for the parent or the student than this. Watch the animations, play along with the quizzes, and then practice.

Of course, it goes without saying that price is also a huge plus, making it something that's very easily added into a regular math program. In fact if this opportunity to review Times Tales didn't arise I would have bought the program anyway and have been equally as happy with it!

Looking Ahead

Times Tales has absolutely become a part of our multiplication learning regime and it will continue to be so.

Pricing & Details

Visit the Times Tales website to download a free trial version and to see more details of the program.

To see from Times Tales visit them via their Facebook page

I hope you found this review helpful. If you would like to see further reviews of the Times Tales program from members of The Schoolhouse Review Crew, please visit this link.


Happy Homeschooling,
Kylie

Come on over and join me at

Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram ~ Google + 


Have you looked at my Pinterest Boards lately?


Visit Our Worldwide Classroom's profile on Pinterest.  

30 Free E-Books For You!

You all know that I've joined the TOS Homeschool Review Crew this year don't you?

Through the review crew we've been introduced to some fabulous resources and in turn I've shared them all with you.

Missed any of those posts? Go back now and have a little browse at all the great products.

There are many more wonderful things to come so please be sure you are following along with any or all of these options:

• Enter your email address over there on the top right to receive updates straight into your inbox

• Follow our Facebook page

• Follow us on Pinterest

• Find our updates on Instagram

• We are also over on Google+

The Old Schoolhouse Store has been ever so generous in providing me with some fabulous homeschool help e-books that I can in turn pass on to you.

Completely Free!

Yes all 30 of them, in fact I think there are actually 32 and they are all free for the month of April for you to enjoy.


Let me show you quickly what I've chosen.

Communicate, Write & Organise Your Way To Homeschool Success:  Learn how to organize your homeschool, overcome writing woes, and teach writing skills all in one amazing e-book bundle. Bring success to your school one skill at a time.

I chose this bundle because let's face it, most of us can all use a little help in at least one of these areas when it comes to homeschooling.

Let's take a quick look at what you are getting for free inside this bundle.

e-Book 1: Just How Important Are Comminication Skills
e-Book 2: Play What You Mean
e-Book 3: Communication Skills & Your Gifted Child
e-Book 4: Growing Authors & Illustrators
e-Book 5: Helping The Reluctant Writer
e-Book 6: Why Does My Child Hate To Write
e-Book 7: Organise Your Homeschool
e-Book 8: Inexpensive Organisation

Get your free bundle here: Communicate, Write & Organise Your Way To Homeschool Success





A Voyage Into Adventure: Are you interested in a learning adventure where light becomes more than

just something to brighten a room? Where bugs become fascinating creatures and not something to merely be screamed at? Download this 20-pack Adventure bundle today!


I chose this bundle because I think we all should add in a little more adventure into our homeschool day.

Let's take a quick look at what you are getting for free inside this download.

e-Book1: A Light Unto My Path
e-Book 2: The “Me Time” Myth
e-Book 3: The Value of Homeschool Conventions
e-Book 4: For the Love of Bugs
e-Book 5: Let There Be Light
e-Book 6: Homeschooling With Young Children
e-Book 7: Light, Color, Optics
e-Book 8: From the Tree to the Table: A Maple Syrup
e-Book 9: Oceanography: Voyage Into a Marvelous
e-Book 10: The Submarine: A Legend Before its Time
e-Book 11: Organize Your Homeschool
e-Book 12: Charlotte Mason and Susan Schaefer Macaulay
e-Book 13: Growing Authors and Illustrators
e-Book 14: The Shocking Truth About Electricity
e-Book 15: Simplifying Classical Education
e-Book 16: Creation vs. Evolution: Interpreting
e-Book 17: Play What You Mean
e-Book 18: Lincoln vs. Darwin: What’s the Difference?
e-Book 19: Time Flies While History is Written
e-Book 20: Nifty Thrifty Summer Fun

Get your free bundle here: A Voyage Into Adventure

High School & Beyond Bundle: How will you help your child discover what he will be best suited to do after he leaves home? What are the most important things to consider when helping your child decide on a career?  Learn suggestions from those who have traveled the same road.

I chose this bundle because finding information regarding homeschooling through the high schools and beyond isn't always easy to find.

Let's take a look at what you are getting for free with this bundle:

e-Book 1: Career Exploration
e-Book 2: Transcripts, CLEP's and Other Ways
e-Book 3: Career Training, Mentorship & Parenthood
e-Book 4: College Success Begins At Home

Get your free bundle here: High School & Beyond Bundle

As a quick, simple way to say thank you for these generous freebies please jump over to The Old Schoolhouse facebook page and give them a quick like.

Now to access all of your free bundles throughout the month of April you simply need to use my special code at the checkout --->  KR2CREW16

Have fun shopping and downloading all your free goodies!

Happy Homeschooling Friends,
Kylie

Come on over and join me at

Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram ~ Google + 


Have you looked at my Pinterest Boards lately?


Visit Our Worldwide Classroom's profile on Pinterest.