If you need to free up some time during school, you teach multiple students, or your child needs a change, the math software from A+ Tutor Soft may be just what you need. We found it easy to understand and use. We give this software five stars.

The first thing I noticed was that installation only took a few minutes and it walked me right through it. Then it only took a few minutes to set up the teacher/student information. After that all you have to do is start learning!

This math software has a lesson plan for parents, saving them time and energy by already setting up the schedule. Everything you need for the year of math is on the cd. If you want something on paper it’s easy to print out and then discard when you are finished. No searching for answer keys or loose papers. That is a big plus for us because we travel with my husband’s work and have limited space.

There were several things we really liked about this math curriculum. Since all students can not learn the same way, we really liked that A+ Tutor Soft offers teaching in several different ways. If your student is more auditory, then they will enjoy having the lessons taught to them. There is also the option for the student to read the lesson themselves. Having the textbook is a plus if the parent/teacher needs to teach the lesson or help with the work.
We loved the easy-to-find tabs for each function of the software, making all of the necessary tools right within reach.

When your student is finished watching or reading the lesson they can click on the worksheets tab and print their work for the day. If they need the same worksheet again, it’s a great option to be able to simply print it again. I prefer my children to write on paper for math so printing the worksheets was a valuable asset for us. If you allow your children to check their own daily work, like I do, then all they have to do is click and check! We found all of the options easy to use. Finally, when you feel your student has mastered the concept, the exams are ready to print and the answers easy for you to find as well.

If you still aren’t sure A+Tutor Soft offers a demo and free trial on the website http://www.aplustutorsoft.com/

You can also “like” A+Tutor Soft on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APlusTutorSoft

A+ Tutor Soft is generously giving ONE copy of 4th Grade – Premium Edition Multi-sensory Interactive Full Year MATH Curriculum Software CD (retail $125). To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment here on this post. If you are reading this on Facebook, please visit our website. The giveaway will be open until Monday, April 23, 2012, at 10:00pm eastern.

 UPDATE: Congrats to our winner, Jamie, who wrote: “We are in desperate need to find an easy to use computer based math curriculum… This one looks great!”

About Kd Blackburn – I am wife to Nick, for the past seventeen years, mother to six rowdy boys and one teenage girl. I enjoy homeschooling them all and the exciting chaos that goes with it all. We love taking trips to explore new places and learning about the history that goes along with the area. I enjoy writing and try to blog (though not consistently lately) over at kdforthecongo.blogspot.com amidst this busy life. I love to start my day off with a work-out at the gym to get me moving.  I love to read and am excited that my children have picked up this love for books also. We have enjoyed raising chickens and turkeys as well as gardening. I also enjoy scrapbooking in my spare (hahaha) time.  Before marrying I completed my AA in elementary education and worked in our local school system for a number of years.

Kd received this item complimentary in exchange for an honest review but the opinion in this review is all hers.

The 2012 Spring Fever Conference is just days away. 

Thursday – Saturday, April 12th-14th, 2012   10:30-4:00 each day. 

You can view the schedule, speakers and topics here!

How can you participate?

This is an online conference which means you can join us by computer or listen to mp3 recordings at a later date once they are posted. There are freebies and give aways for all who register.  BUT, you must register.

The cost for the conference is $9.95.

Register here and receiving the information necessary to join us live via your computer and/or receive access to the mp3′s later.  But you better hurry!  Time is running short!

Questions?  Contact conference@heartofthematteronline.com

Wondering if you won a free ticket during our recent contests?  Be sure to check here!

Currently there are 50 free lessons listed at the website that are all watched in video segments. The segments are all around 10 minutes or less making it very manageable to schedule the time to get them done. Since our son has had no previous training, I started him from lesson 1. This lesson gave him the basic understanding of the piano keys, high and low notes, and he even learned his very first song: Hot Cross Buns. The lessons are very easy to understand and kept our 5-year-old son engaged the entire 2-weeks of evaluation.

In addition to the free online lessons, optional supplemental materials are available that you can purchase.

Here is an example of the materials you can purchase for $14 for lessons 1-20:

* Complete Materials for Lessons 1-20 (36 pgs)
* Piano Listening Album (33 tracks .mp3 files)
* Parent’s Guide (5 pgs)

Although these materials are optional, I would recommend that you consider buying them to help reinforce and give depth to the online lesson. I have a background in music but still liked having these materials to reference and reinforce the skills my son learned through this course.

As per the instructor’s advice, we did three lessons a week in 5-15 minute increments. In addition we had practice time 2-3 days a week ranging from 10-20 minutes depending on my son’s interest level and what concept he was learning at the time. I found that this was an acceptable amount of time for our young son.

The best part about this free online resource is the simple fact that you can schedule it virtually anytime and anywhere you have an internet connection. I think this is a great option for parents who are not able to get lessons for their children with an actual physical teacher. This program is a very economical option for homeschooling families who desire to give their children a music education but are not able to commit to piano lessons at this time. If your child is showing an interest in piano, I would recommend giving the program a try. After all, it’s free.

FreePianoLessons4Kids.com is generously giving 10 free copies of the Materials for Lessons 1-20, with the Listening Album (this sells for $14 on the website). To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment here on this post. If you are reading this on Facebook, please visit our website. The giveaway will be open until Monday April 16, 2012 at 10:00pm eastern.

UPDATE: Congrats to our 10 winners!  All winners been notified by email.

1) Brandy

2) Dawn

3) Britney

4) Sandy

5) Valerie

6) Craig

7) Stephanie

Janeira

9) Jennifer

10) Catie

Carlie has been blissfully married to the love of her life, Michael, since June of 2000. She has been a stay-at-home homeschoolin’ mama to their 3 children since 2001. Carlie currently resides with her family in Germany courtesy of the US Army. You can read about her homeschooling adventures and Christian faith at her blog: So You Call Yourself A Homeschooler?

Carlie received this item complimentary in exchange for an honest review but the opinions in this review is all hers.

He is risen!  He is risen indeed! 

I hope this post finds you and your family rejoicing in the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  What hope His death, burial and resurrection gives to each of us as we face each day knowing the unspeakable riches of His grace!

Spring Conference

But before you dive into the articles posted at HOTM this week, I want to just give you a quick reminder that we are less than a week away from our HOTM Spring Fever Conference.  The theme of the conference is Spring Fever:  Finishing Strong and with the line up of speakers and their topics, we are sure to be encouraged to finish our year well.

Our speakers include:  Amy Bayliss, Lee Binz, Belinda Bullard, Karen DeBeus, Maggie Hogan, Lori Lane (that’s me), Angela Parsley, Jenny Penton, Jamerrill Stewart, Debbie Strayer, Cindy West and John Michael Lane. Click on their names to see their workshop topics.  I am really looking forward to being personally encouraged in my homeschool journey.

Cost for the conference is $9.95 and you can join us live via computer or you can listen to an mp3 recording at a later time. www.heartofthematterconference.com

This Week’s Inspiring Articles

This week at Heart of the Matter has been rich in inspiration and encouragement, as well as advice and insight into some important areas.  You can see a list of this week’s blog post titles below.

How to Homeschool the Early Years 

Teachable Moments In Spanish 

Helping Your Children Listen in Church 

How a Homeschool Conference or Retreat Can Encourage You in Your Journey

Homeschool Co-op 

A Set of Experiences 

What’s In A Name 

It’s the Starting That’s Stopping Us

What Comes Next When A Home Schooler Graduates? 

The Foundation of Success with Debbie Strayer

Help My Child Is Smarter Than Me

Check Out Our HOTM Interviews with our Spring Fever Conference Speakers

Heart of the Matter Live – Interview with Karen DeBeus

Heart of the Matter Live – Interview with Maggie Hogan

Heart of the Matter Spring Conference:  Speaker Preview

Heart of the Matter Spring Conference:  Give Away Preview

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Newsletter Contest Winners

We had a newsletter sign up promotion and picked random winners each of the days, Monday – Friday, that the contest ran. Each winner receives a free “ticket” to the HOTM Spring Fever Conference. But, you must contact me at inquiry@heartofthematteronline.com

Winners are:

3/21 – Monique Hernandez
3/22 – Angela Howey
3/23 – Shannon Kiser

3/26 – Jen Harpin
3/27 – N. Fuller
3/28 – Melissa Fritzsche

Last Thursday’s and Friday’s winners will be announced on Monday! : )

De-Lurking Contest Winners

The winners of our “de-lurking” contest are De-lurker Carrie, De-lurker Margaret, and De-lurker Sabrina. I responded to their comments at that post, to notify them as well. You must contact me at inquiry@heartofthematteronline.com for details.

Congratulations!

We love our readers. Each and every one of you!! Oh yeah, if you are reading this post in your feed reader or email, click here and come directly to our site. You’ll definitely want to comment on this post. Besides, our website is beautiful eye-candy, in case you haven’t seen it in awhile.

We have many many loyal readers and subscribers, yet we do not know you. We see you…our statcounter and our feedburner stats reflect the amazing amount of visitors we are blessed with…yet we know nothing about most of you.

So come out of hiding, we’d love to get to know more about you.

Beginning today we are hosting an official Heart of the Matter De-Lurk-A-Thon. Please leave a comment and tell us something about yourself…such as how long you’ve been reading HOTM, how you found us, how long you’ve been homeschooling, what method of homeschooling you use, etc. Tell us a joke. Or just simply say hey.

As an incentive to entice you to introduce yourself…we’ll be offering 3 free tickets to our Spring Fever online conference held April 12th – 14th. Our speakers include but are not limited to:  Debbie Strayer, Lee Binz, Karen DeBeus, Amy Bayliss and more. So, come out of the shadows and De-Lurk today! 

This promotion ends at 12 midnight EDT on Friday, March 30th. 

Want to win a free “ticket” to Heart of the Matter’s Online Spring Fever Conference:  Finishing Strong? to be held April 12th – 14th, 2012.

It’s easy!

Visit us on Facebook, “like” us, and click the “join this list” button on the left hand column and sign up for our newsletter.  Did you know we have a newsletter full of new information and inspiration?

OR

Visit www.heartofthematteronline.com and sign up for our newsletter there.

It’s fast!  It’s easy!  and who knows, you might be one of our daily winners.

Today is day three…….and we are running this contest through next Friday….so don’t delay!

Look at some of our speakers:  Debbie Strayer, Maggie Hogan, Karen DeBeus, Lee Binz, and more!  Stay tuned!

Ready….Set….Go!

I am so excited to announce that we have a terrific give away this week!

Library and Educational Services is giving away a 6-DVD set of Go Science  http://www.libraryanded.com/store/GOSCI601.html !

Even kids who claim an aversion to science will be engaged by the high-energy science demonstrations of Ben Roy! Ben teaches science methods at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and is the former director of a science program on television. Each spectacular demonstration of physical or chemical science has a spiritual application and points to our Creator.

Subjects covered by the videos are: Gravity and Motion, Simple Machines, Magnetism, Electricity, Chemistry, Air, Flight and many more.

I have shopped at Library and Ed for several years and have always been pleased with the quality of the books, the customer service, and the fact that they print a small disclaimer if the materials contain any references to evolution or other potentially objectionable content.

Library and Educational Services is a family-operated, wholesale distributor of inspirational and educational materials. They very generously extend their wholesale pricing to homeschoolers.

Heart of the Matter Readers will receive a 20% off coupon code for not only this set, but several others!

The coupon code for this terrific discount is GOSCIENCE.

The other sets Library and Ed is offering are:

• Set of 12 Extreme Fact Finders – books with facts about a variety of subjects

 http://www.libraryanded.com/store/EXTRE107.html

• Set of 5 Catching/Not Catching – books about viruses and allergies for K-4

http://www.libraryanded.com/store/ITSCA101.html

• Set of 6 Physical Science – books geared to the K-3 set

http://www.libraryanded.com/store/PHYSI102.html

• Set of 3 Science Starters – science books for the early reader

http://www.libraryanded.com/store/SCIEN105.html

• Energy – a book about the forms, changes, and functions of energy for ages 8-12

http://www.libraryanded.com/store/INVES2103.html

Since Library and Educational Services is a wholesaler, they have created a special page for Heart of the Matter Readers to receive this discount.

To begin shopping, simply click here: Go Science, https://www.libraryanded.com/scotmail/scotmail.mvc?l=5a5d6dc839, follow the instructions, and enter the coupon code GOSCIENCE during checkout.

So homeschool shoppers, to enter the drawing, leave a comment telling me how your school year is going so far. We will accept entries for a week and will choose a winner with a random number generator. I will email the winner and Library and Ed will mail your set of science DVDs soon after.

The rest of us can get take advantage of the coupon!

Good luck!

Deb is a knitting, cooking, home schooling mom. Who is way cooler than that sounds. Really. She blogs about all sorts of random and sometimes even mildly interesting things at Not Inadequate.

What a great party we had last night via twitter, blogtalk radio and facebook.  Thanks to all who participated, especially Amy Stults and Amy Bayliss.  It was a blessing to be able to find out more about the history of Heart of the Matter.

_____________________

TO ALL WHO ATTENDED and are on my list of attendees, please email us at inquiry@heartofthematteronline.com and provide us with your email address, so that we can send you the links to all your “goodie bag” goodies! : )  You have goodies waiting for you from  www.frommeandmyhouse.com, www.raisingrealmen.com and www.grapevinestudies.com

TO ALL WINNERS LISTED BELOW: Please email us at inquiry@heartofthematteronline.com with your email address so that we can be sure you receive your prizes!

Heart of the Matter Party Winners – CONGRATS EVERYONE!

From Grape Vine Studies: www.grapevinestudies.com
Resurrection Teach and Student ebook set
Winner: Angela Michelle Harless-Yongue

From www.raisingrealmen.com
Free Copy of Raising Real Men
Winners: Katrina Steele
Misty Taylor-Lilley

From www.raisingrealmen.com
Free registration to “Boot Camp” webinar series
Winner: Natasha Rene Puryear

From www.TheHomeScholar.com and Lee Binz
One A la Carte Course of your choice
Winner: Kimberly Uyechi

From www.TheHomeScholar.com and Lee Binz
One Total Transcript Solution (digital product)
Winner: Karen DeBeus

From www.ajourneythroughlearning.net/apfula.html
Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day – Winner: Cyndi Nichols
Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day – Winner: Cyndi Nichols
Land Animals of the Sixth Day – Winner: Happimommi (Twitter)
Exploring Creation with Botany – Winner: Happimommi (Twitter)
Exploring Creation with Astronomy – Winner: abundantmom (Twitter)
Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology – Winner: abundantmom (Twitter)

From www.handsofachild.com
1 year Super Membership to the www.handsofachild.com site
Winner: Natasha Rene Puryear

From: Cindy West and www.shiningdawnboooks.com
1 Nature Study Through the Holidays: Easter
Winner: eyecorn (Twitter)

From www.handsofachild.com
1 ebook of International Geography Quest Note Pack which includes a bonus unit: Study Any Country
Winner: eyecorn (Twitter)

From www.frommeandmyhouse.com
1 copy of Freed & Simplicity of Lifestyle Education Through Discipleship – The Seminar ToGo
Winner: loving5kids (twitter)

From Joyous Home
1 free digital “The Tea Times”, a home economics newsletter (geared for girls ages 10+
Winner: Gricfully Homeschooling

From www.writeshop.com
Your choice of one level of Write Shop: Either WriteSHope Primary Book A, B, or C or WriteShop Junior Book D, print or e-book version
Winner: Wendi Irwin

From www.handsofachild.com
1 ebook copy of International Geography Quest Note Pack including a bonus unit: Study Any Country
Winner: Stephanie Spencer Rotramel

From: www.newmillenniumgirlbooks.com
1 Writing Bundle for tween girls
Winner: Tricia Hodges

From: www.raisingrealmen.com
1 free registration to our Boot Camp 9-12 webinar series
Winners – Bethany LeBedz, Cyndi Nichols

From www.raisingrealment.com
1 set of Hero Tales from American History audiobooks
Winner: eyecorn (twitter), Jan May

From www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com
2 premium one-year memberships to www.schoolhouseteachers.com membership program
Winners: Lana Wilson, happiemommie (twitter)

It’s Party Day!

You can join us for a look back at Heart of the Matter, interviews with founders Amy Stults and Amy Bayliss, TONS of give-aways, interviews from contributing writers and of course, a look to the future.

You can join us by listening at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/heart-of-the-matter-live

You can join us on our facebook page: Heart of the Matter on Facebook

You join us by Twitter: @hotmonline  and our hashtag used for give aways is: #hotmparty

and you can call in by calling: (602) 753-1896

Look at the list of companies doing give aways at our FB, Twitter and BTR party this next Tuesday: Joyous Home, Journey Through Learning, The Home Scholar, Me and My House, Grapevine Studies, Shining Dawn Books, Hands of a Child, Raising Real Men, New Millennium Girl Books, and more. Don’t miss it!

Congratulations to…Renee S!

Apologia Live is a specially designed weekend retreat. A refreshing time for the homeschool mother in the trenches! An Apologia Live retreat will help you find strength for the journey!

I have the privilege of attending (and counting down the days until the weekend!) in Atlanta. I will be tweeting live from the retreat for Heart of the Matter. Just take a look at what this special weekend includes:

More information for you about Apologia Live – Atlanta – March 23, 24

General information about Apologia Live Retreat

List of speakers

The Retreat Schedule 

Special guest speaker at Apologia Live – Atlanta, Pam Tebow

Pam Tebow, mother of Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Tebow, will join us for our March 2012 conference. Pam and Bob are homeschool pioneers who began teaching their children at home in 1982 and homeschooled all five from kindergarten through high school. All five of Pam’s children have gone on to complete college degrees. Pam speaks nationwide and is passionate about encouraging women to trust the Lord with all their hearts for all their lives.

Heart of the Matter and Apologia are giving one lucky winner the opportunity to attend the Atlanta conference! To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post. The giveaway will be open until Friday 2/10 at 10:00pm EST. If you are viewing this post on Facebook, please visit our website to leave your comment. 

Tricia gave up life in the drive thru lane for the joy-filled road home. She homeschools five children from preschool to middle school. You can find her facing that daily dose of chaos at Hodgepodge. There she writes about practical schooling strategies and shares how she is saving bucks and her sanity with the frugal recipes of her Southern roots. Tricia is also known as Hodgepodgemom.