First up is WordWeb.  WordWeb is a Dictionary, Thesaurus, Word finder that will work in almost any program.  If you are typing something up in say your WordPress Dashboard, you can highlight the word and find references quickly and easily.  Best feature?  It’s FREE! 

Google Earth is another great resource for students of all ages.  Geography class, science, even history can all be helped with Google Earth.  You can explore the ocean (which will be a favorite tool of my daughters, as anything that has to do with the Ocean becomes her obsession).  You can also view historical imagery, and even find your own house!  Again, the basic version is FREE!

This next tool is seriously awesome!  It’s called Reviewand you can create your own flash cards.  I remember when I was in school I would create 3×5 cards when studying for a test and take those suckers EVERYWHERE.  Just by creating these notecards it helps to remember the information.  Review takes this to the next level by allowing you to create them on your computer.  So much faster (and easier) than trying to cram all of that data on a 3×5!  Review is free for 90 days, but I think you’ll like it enough to keep.

Notalon is a free tool to help make taking notes easier.  This is perfect for a college student who will be using their laptop for notetaking, as it helps you to take notes quickly while you are listening to the lecture.  According to it’s website it is ”lifting the burden of formatting so that you can focus on taking notes.”

This last one isn’t necessarily a download, but an online student organizer.  “GradeMate is a powerful online organizer for teachers and students to keep track of their courses — from managing grades, assignments, and events to sharing files, course notes, and class discussions.”  Never miss an assignment again with this great organizer!

Definitely check out these tools to help make the school year a successful one!

Of course the technological times have changed, and so have the rules.  You need to set some ground rules for your children and any sort of technology they own.  Here are some things you can do to make sure they aren’t getting into trouble with their devices.  Cell phones and a texting plan can really help you to stay in communication with your child, as long as it is being used appropriately.

1. Check with your cell phone carrier.  See what kinds of monitoring or restrictions you can put on the phone.  Sometimes you can make the phone non-operational during times of the day you set.  You can set it so it can not be used during school hours or the late hours of the night.  If you have a set dinner and family time routine you can also set it so it doesn’t work during those times of the day as well.

2. Discuss appropriate messages.  Make sure you let them know that you are able to get a report from the phone company of all of the texts and photos they have sent.  Just knowing that you are monitoring it will help.  Discuss that anything they send can be forwarded, long after they have sent it.  Let them know that if they wouldn’t shout it out in the middle of the cafeteria, then they probably shouldn’t post it online or send it in a text.  This includes suggestive texts and gossip.

3. Talk about appropriate times.  Even if you are able to shut off the phone during the non-appropriate times, make sure your child knows why the phone doesn’t work at those times.  Family time, driving time, sleeping and studying time all need to be free of texting distractions.  My niece is only 14 and she can send a LOT of messages in a short amount of time.  You would be surprised how much they can send.  You and I may send a text here and there, about once or twice an hour.  They can send HUNDREDS!  If you don’t allow the phone near them when they are studying, eating with the family, driving, etc then it can be a serious distraction.  I recommend  creating a spot in the back seat of the car, or even the trunk for a place to put the cell phones so it’s not even in reach while on the road.

There are some more great tips and advice at LG’s new Text Ed website.  www.LGTextED.com  Definitely go check it out for some really funny videos and information!  I’ve included an interview in this post with one of the contributors to the site… enjoy!

When you are online it can be hard to separate fact from fiction.  One of the worst places to get information is wikipedia.org.  Many people don’t understand that ANYONE can edit information on wikipedia.  I can hop onto the article on Disney, and replace the CEO’s name with my own!  Look at that, I’m now the CEO of Disney.  When can I start picking up my paycheck? 

It would be hard to believe that you have this vast information resource, and not be able to utilize it though, right!  I mean, I was good at math when I was younger, but heck if I remember what the quadratic equation is off the top of my head (or even why and where you need to use it!).  Enter some great resources around the net that I found to help your kids of all ages with their homework.  If you check out the sites with your kids you’ll know that the site is legit, and you may even remember how to use the quadratic equation yourself!

First for an actual tutor, with a real live person to help, check out www.tutor.com (make sure to check out my TI-Nspire calculator giveaway, because the package includes 60 minutes free at tutor.com!)

Next for a great website FULL of links to sites of all subjects and age levels check out the Homework Spot.  It’s not the prettiest site out there, but the links are great!

The Salt Lake City library also has a really great page of resources for older kids and teens on a broad range of topics.

FunBrain.com is a great place for learning games of all topics.  I especially liked the Grammar Gorrillas where you click on the word in the sentence that is a verb or a noun. 

A really fun math website is Cool Math 4 Kids.  The site is really fun and interactive, and will help you learn (or re-learn for us adults) some basic and not so basic math concepts.

For science I really enjoyed checking out Science Bob’s website.  It has really fun science experiments you can try, videos, and great research links.

The last site I really enjoyed checking out was the Internet Public Library.  It’s just like it sounds, your public library, but online! 

So definitely check out some of these websites.  If you go to the right spots you can find good information.  Just try and avoid the sites that may or may not be very accurate… and hey where’s my check from Disney?

I’m what they call a “geek”.  Not sure if you noticed, but I like technology.  When I was in high school, I was a big fan of math.  English and history and the like were definitely not my forte.  In 9th grade when I was taking Geometry I even wrote (as in made up/created) a theorem.  Yes, my very own theorem.  I’m not sure what it was about anymore, but I think it had something to do with triangles.  I really should have kept it. 

When I was a sophmore in High School I purchased (or probably had my parents purchase FOR me) my first graphing calculator.  It was a TI-83.  It is now MANY years later, and do you know what is STILL working?  My TI-83.  Before there were smartphones, and netbooks we had our calculators.  My friends and I even wrote several custom programs on our Texas Instruments calculators.  I had one program that when I would run it, it would show me a scripture verse.  We also wrote various programs that would make our homework easier, and other fun things like that (did I mention before that I am a “geek”?)  I hadn’t used my calculator in a while (not a whole lot of reason to find the tangent of something for a stay at home mom), and so I dug it out of it’s drawer when I was first contacted by Texas Instruments to review the TI-Nspire.  I replaced the batteries, and wouldn’t you know it, it still worked, and my programs still ran! 

I was definitely excited to check out this new calculator, even though I’m not typically graphing equations anymore.  My nephew is also a math genius.  I wanted to share this new toy with him and help him learn a little bit more advanced math.  Texas Instruments also sent me a t-shirt, that as soon as I saw I knew would be perfect for my nephew. 

Now when it came down to actually using it, I started out by heading to the grocery store.  My husband and I are on a super tight budget right now, and I’ve decided to only use cash when going to the grocery store.  I could not, and would not go over my cash allowance for groceries.  I started to enter everything into the calculator that I put into the cart.  What is really great about the calculator is that it keeps the calculations on screen.  So I can calculate how much per item something is, that is on sale for 4 for $5, then go back to the running tally just by looking at the previous line.  The one thing that took me a while to figure out is how to make a fraction into a decimal.  I would enter 4 divided by 5 and it would return 4/5.  Thanks TI-Nspire… I KNOW it’s 4/5′s, can you give me something I can use??  I just had to press the squiggly equals sign in order to get my decimal.  It worked out perfectly, and I had exactly enough cash to purchase my groceries.

My Sister is currently taking a chemistry class in college.  I brought the calculator over to her house and she said that she mainly needs it to find the cubed root of something.  It was easier for me to figure out how to do that then it was to convert the fraction into a decimal.  You just press the N (root) X button and then enter your numbers!  It was so easy!  She borrowed the calculator until she was done with her assignment.

Some other great features of the calculator are…

TI-Nspire Graphing Calculator Features

• Like a computer in your hand. The versatile graphing calculator has many computer-like features, including a large, high-resolution screen, drop down menus and a built-in cursor which helps students explore problem solving strategies in real-time.
• Save and review work. Thanks to electronic document capabilities and built-in 20 MB of storage, students can create, save and edit their work similar to the word processing and file storage of a computer.
• 2 calculators, plus computer software, in one.Interchangeable keypads allow students to use the calculator in TI-Nspire, TI-84 Plus and TI-83 Plus modes, and included computer software brings the TI-Nspire experience to a PC or Mac.

I remember as a student having to choose between the TI-89 and the TI-83.  If I remember correctly the TI-83 was more for statistics (which was my favorite math subject of all time), and the TI-89 was better for calculus.  Now you don’t have to choose between the two, with the interchangeable keypads!  This calculator is truly all in one!  It also includes software so you can perform the same functions on the larger screen of your computer!  There are even downloads for the calculator and cusomizable options.  The Student Zone on the Texas Instruments site is a great resource for study help, and !

Also, this DEFINITELY wasn’t an option when I was a student, but there is now a “testing mode” function on the calculator to enable you to use it while taking the SAT, AP, ACT, IB®, PSAT/NSMQT, and Praxis™ exams, as well as many state tests.

Texas Instruments clearly makes some quality calculators, and I’m so excited to be able to give away a “Math Makeover Kit” that includes..

• A new TI-Nspire with Touchpad – this also includes the new computer software so students can bring their graphing calculator experience to a PC or Mac.
• 60 free minutes at Tutor.com.
• Several other fun items, including T-shirts, water bottles and cell phone charms.

To enter to win simply leave a comment telling me what your favorite math subject was (Geometry, Calculus, Algebra, Statistics, etc).  To be in accordance with FTC guidelines there are no other methods of entry and you are limited to one entry per person.  Giveaway ends September 5th at 8 PM MST.  Thanks!

*Disclosure – Texas Instruments provided me with one calculator to facilitate my review and one to give away on my blog.  All opinions of the device and brand are my own, and I was not told what to say about either.

Congrats to Heather who said “Exactly what my family needs! We’ve currently got 3 remotes and it’s a bit mysterious for visitors to try and use them.”!  Check your email so I can send you the Harmony! 

For everyone else, don’t fear!  I’m giving away AWESOME tech products EVERY MONDAY, so come back and enter!

First there is my sister’s, queen of Healthy Kids, method. She gives each child 30 minutes of video game time a day. After they have used their 30 minutes, they can earn extra time throughout the day by doing chores that my sister needs done. Such as sweep the kitchen or clean the bathroom. They use this time right away, so she doesn’t have to keep track of how much they’ve earned.

Veronica (an Organized Mom contributor) allows her kids to earn time based on reading. If they read a book for 30 minutes then they’ve earned 30 minutes of game time.

Other ways of “earning” time could be that they have a jar with Media Money in it. Whenever they do something good, do an extra chore, read, etc they can add media money to their jar. When they want to play a game or watch TV they pay you the “money” and you allow them as much time as they have paid you.

Make it part of their routine. For my daughter we have a chart on the fridge that has all of the tasks she needs to accomplish during the day. she check marks or x’s the task as she completes each item. It has things like feed dog, do 2 pages of homework, read 2 books, brush teeth, get dressed, etc. It also has 45 minutes of video game time. Once it’s crossed off, it’s done for the day.

Please share your methods of controlling the time your children spend with media!

My husband on the other hand is a full on gamer.  My favorite is when he tells me that such and such game is coming out and he’s going to HAVE to buy it.  It’s the “have to” that cracks me up.  Like the world is going to end if he doesn’t get to play this game as soon as it comes out.  Luckily he will usually sell games he’s already beat in order to purchase the new game.  Gamestop practically knows him by name. 

Since he likes to play games so much, our daughter has also inheirtited this trait.  She LOVES to sit and watch him play a game.  She is always asking ME to come play games with her.  She has a computer, our Wii and a DSi.  Some of her favorite games are first, ANYTHING Mario related.  She LOVES Bowser, and Yoshi.  She also likes to play Petz Dolphins, she is obsessed with sea animals, and so of course that game is right up her alley.

So how do I pick games that she will be able to play, and that will be interesting to her.  I did a Google search for DS games that are good for a 4 year old.  Then as I’m going through the list I’ll pick out things that I know she’d like.  I wouldn’t buy her a game that had princesses all over it, since I know she has no interest whatsoever in princesses. 

Games have ratings.  Make sure you are purchasing games for your kids that are the appropriate rating!  My husband works for a big box retailer, and is constantly amazed at parents buying mature rated games for their 7 year old kids!  This is what really bugs us about how many people view video games.  People get all up in arms about how some video games are destroying our kids… but we ask WHO are the people allowing them to own and play the games?  Get involved with what your children are doing!  My husband’s mom would sit down with him and listen to any new CD that he got so she could see if it was OK for him to listen to!  THAT is involved parenting!  Trevor will be ringing up a customer that looks too young to buy a Mature rated game, and ask for their ID.  They just yell over to their parents and the parents come over and buy it… without a question as to what it is, and why the store would need their approval for the game!! 

Not only do the ratings help with avoiding games that are inappropriate for your kids, they help with picking games that ARE appropriate for your children.  A 4 year old can easily navigate a “Early Childhood” rated game, but may have trouble with a game rated E for Everyone.  The ESRB has a great website that can help you check out games to purchase for your kids http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp. 

Aside from the console games, there are SEVERAL free games on the internet for kids to play.  We love Kidrocket in our house.  It limits the websites to only the ones specified by the program (which included all the ones we wanted to go to anyway). 

So again, the philosophy in my house is to let our children enjoy games and gaming (since we do too).  We believe, though, that the right way to do it is to get involved with your kids.  Play the games with them at first (it helps them understand how to navigate the game, and gives you a chance to check the game out to make sure it’s ok for them to play.)

Don’t forget to check out my Twitter party tonight, where we will be discussing kids and entertainment.  I am giving away a Logitech Harmony 300 during the party, so you definitely don’t want to miss it (plus there will be great info and discussions about TV/Movies/Video Games and our kids!

Details!

• When: Wednesday, August 25th from 9-10 p.m. EST (8-9 CT, 7-8 MT, & 6-7 PT)
• Where: Easily keep track of the conversation on our custom tweet grid http://is.gd/eC57o ! Use hashtags #T4M and #Logitech
• Topic: Kids & Entertainment!
• Who: Panelists: @LittleTechGirl, @MommaDandDaBoyz, @Tech4Moms, @healthykids, & @TechSavvyMama

RSVP

Add your Twitter ID and the URL to your twitter page below and you could win a Harmony Remote control!

I preface this post with the disclaimer because MY opinion is probably an unpopular one.  Or maybe I’m not as in the minority as I think… 

I love TV.  I love movies.  Just a few steps into my house and you will see how much I love TV & Movies.  It’s really one of my husband and I’s favorite thing to do (well… almost) after the kids have gone to bed.  We just sit on the couch and watch a movie. 

One thing that my husband doesn’t understand about me though is that even when I’m working or writing my blog, or paying the bills, or basically anything, I like to have the TV on.  I enjoy the background noise.  Especially if I’m doing something like the bills or blogging, I’ll put on one of my favorite shows that I’ve seen.  So I don’t really have to pay attention to know what is going on.  Since I enjoy this background noise… our TV is pretty much on all day.  It’s not like we are sitting in front of it WATCHING it all day, it’s just there and on.  The kids come and go, I come and go, my husband comes and goes, the dog comes and goes…. and the TV continues on.  (Here’s where I’m probably going to lose my mom card, right?)

Here is my philosophy with kids and TV.  I really don’t limit what they watch.  They still get outside and play, they still go up to their rooms and play.  They read books, they do everything else that kids should do.  I actually find that since it’s on all day they don’t ever feel the need to just sit in front of it all the time.  If a part interests them they may wander over to the TV and watch, and then move along when a commercial comes on.  It’s the same thing that I do.  If there is something I want to see, or a favorite part of a movie or TV show, I’ll stop what I’m doing and check it out. 

So since my TV is on all day of course my children have watched TV BEFORE THE AGE OF TWO!  GASP!  Here is what I don’t like about those studies that absolutely forbid television before the age of 2 (and YES, I’ve read all the studies).  There are very different types of “watching TV”.  There is the “sit the kids in front of the TV and let them go comatose”… or there is the “sit with your kids, spend time with them and talk about what’s on the TV.”  We would do this with my daughter and Baby Einstein all the time.  I would sit with her, and when they had a dog on the screen I would say “dog” and point at the screen.  It was interactive.  I will admit though, I work FULL TIME, FROM HOME, with NO HELP (except for when my husband doesn’t have to work until later).  The TV is my only saving grace some times.  That is when I save the super special shows that I know my kids love and will sit down and watch at least most of a full episode.  I once wrote on my personal blog that Noggin was a gift from heaven for ill parents. 

So I’m sure I’ll be judged for having the TV on all day, but I will say this… my 4 year old reads at a mid-year first grade level (according to her preschool teacher LAST YEAR).  She can do math, and can navigate a computer probably better than my Mother (sorry Mom).  Yes, she has the TV on as background noise for most of the day, and yes she probably watches way more than she should.  The difference, I think is whether or not the parent is involved in the child’s life.  Is the TV a tool to help educate, and give Mom a break once in a while, or has it become something they are propped up in front of as a means of ignoring the child?  THAT is where it can be dangerous I believe.

So I’m ready to take the beatings!  I’d love to hear from both sides of the argument!  Later today I will post the official details of the Twitter party for tomorrow (sponsored by Logitech), where we can have an in depth discussion on this and the other topics I’ll be addressing this week with regards to kids and games and other technology!  Commence discussion in 3…2…1…