Come Together Now - For Haiti

Come Together Now (Music City Unites For Haiti) from Music City Unites For Haiti on Vimeo.

http://www.cometogethernowhaiti.com/welcome.html

100% of funds go to Samaritan's Purse and The American Red Cross

Gospel Music Association (MA) chairman of the board Ed Leonard took time to highlight a few of the ways the gospel music industry has reached out to Haiti in its hour of need, introducing the powerful music video for “Come Together Now” (Music City Unites for Haiti) which was led by Michael W. Smith (written by Smith, David Mullen and Cindy Morgan).



Teary-eyed from viewing the powerful video, Michael W. Smith spoke briefly of his trip to Haiti last week and how long it would take for the people to recover.

We may be here to announce Dove nominations today, but the true awards go to the people in Haiti and the meaning of something like this comes only through what we do in times like this,” said Smith, who visited Haiti after the earthquake. Any recognition we give to those making an impact in this industry, goes all just to God’s glory and His fame, to be able to reach out further, to communicate His message to the world.
He made special mention of U.S. troops in Haiti…

To watch our military not only keep the peace but love on the Haitian people was an image I’ll never forget the rest of my life…

The making of the video:









Haiti benefit concert:

TOS Crew Review: MathScore

"Developed by MIT graduates, MathScore is research-based and proven to raise test scores with students of all demographics."

MathScore is an online assessment tool for schools, parents, and homeschoolers.  This assessment and math practice covers grades 1 through Algebra. Problems range from simple to complex through all the grade levels. What makes this program special is that it has the ability to generate problems and base difficulty on ability of the student.

MathScore can be used to supplement for most math curriculums. While it does not specifically teach, it does give mini-lessons on the topic area.  Some homeschool parents have successfully used this as the foundation of their math curriculum for their children.

After a simple registration process, I started my free 2 week trial which is available to anyone on their website.  I went on as my 8th grade child and choose from a list of topics. It then generated a worksheet for me do with several problems. The object is to quickly do the problems.  You then generate a score and are encouraged to move on to the next worksheet which for my topic, had more problems to do then the previous worksheet. You are awarded "trophies" for certain levels of accomplishment.  If you are unsure of a topic you can click on "mini-lesson" and read a sample of how to do the activity. It was no means in depth just a sample overview.

This program is not fancy, but does it's job without bells and whistles.  You can view a two week trial of the program at their website without giving any credit card /payment info.

For more info - visit their website at:
http://www.mathscore.com/

TOS Crew Review: FactsFirst (Saxon)

I have to admit that this program has been the most enthusiastically accepted math program my children have done.  Well, not initially.  But after I "made" one my children try it, the rest watched in amazement and couldn't wait for their turn.

This program is meant to teach and review math facts.  The most impressive thing about it was that my 7 year old who is in first grade taught himself multiplication and division using this program. He also was giving me the hardest time doing basic math facts in his everyday math and now they are a breeze for him, so, no more fighting!

They started by making a character to portray them selves.  This was a fun assignment. They are always changing their man.  They then proceed to do math facts which does supply some instruction with the lesson. They are then rewarded with a fun game, which was probably the motivation to do more math facts. Some games are just fun, and some are educational.

So, if I gave stars this one would get 5 out 5 stars.  I have seen such an improvement in a fun way, they voluntary do their math drill.

From the website:
"factsfirst™ is a personalized and fully adaptive online math product that builds a child’s confidence and helps develop instant recall of basic facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Children are engaged in performance-based learning through interactive, real-world scenarios that make math facts meaningful and fun. "

To learn more visit: http://www.factsfirst.com/

I was given a free 90 day  preview to review this product.

TOS Crew Review: Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class Volume One

We received for review Volume One of Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class.  Volume one includes a DVD with booklet and book to accompany it that reinforces the DVD lessons. It also contains all the music with the copyright information for the songs used in the program.

The DVD starts with an introduction which in includes Jean Welles experience, which she does have a lot of. Next she goes over the parts of a guitar and teaches you how to tune a guitar.  What I like best about the program is its Christian focus.  She encourages beginning lessons with prayer and ask the Lord to help teach you to play the guitar.  She also recognizes that people tend to be tense when beginning to learn a new instrument. She again recommends prayer to overcome this and to relax.

Part of the first lesson includes where to put your fingers and how to strum to the tune of He's Got the Whole World in His Hands. Cords are introduced one at a time. You do not need to know how to read music to do the lessons in this first volume. You will learn them as you go. Other songs you learn include: My All In All, More Precious than Silver, Take My Life, Lord I lift Your Name on High and a few others.  An extra lesson is included in the back of the book that is not on the DVD that is useful for hand exercise of the left hand.  There is apparently a video to accompany it online on her website. 

Over all this program seems excellent and takes away the hesitation of learning this way.  My son thoroughly enjoyed this program and decided to purchase his own new guitar after doing a few lessons. We will probably add more lessons to our collection as soon as we can.  I would recommend that if possible to supplement with an occasional lesson to help confirm technique (but then if you are not overly serious and you like your progress, then maybe this is isn't necessary.)

To learn more about this program and watch the first lesson FREE online CLICK HERE!