Educeri (A Homeschool Crew Review)

If there's one thing that I really enjoy, it's having access to online services where I have lessons and handouts already prepped and ready to teach.  I really do stink at trying to throw together my own lesson plans and I do so much better when I'm told what to do and how to do it than trying to plan it out myself.   So I was pretty excited when I was given access to more than 1000 Ready to Teach lessons with a 12 month subscription to Educeri Lesson Subscription Service from Educeri .......  Educeri a division of DataWORKS .

About Educeri

Educeri is an online subscription service offering a large variety of lesson plans for a large range of subjects created for teachers by other teachers for grades K-12.

Subjects included are:

Math
Science
History
English Language Arts
Art
Physical Education
Music
Spanish

Just a Small Sampling of the Lessons available for 3rd Grade

Using Educeri is very easy.  Simply browse the available lessons, which can be sorted by grade or

Summary Page

by subject and select the topic that you wish to teach.  You are then brought to a summery page that gives a brief description as to what will be covered by the lesson.  There is also a comments page on the summary page where you can read comments left by other users in regards to the lesson (if there has been any left) or you can leave your own.  

This summary page will also list if any additional resources are available for the lesson, such as quizzes or handouts.  Also listed are what recommended browsers would work best for viewing the lesson.


By clicking the "Teach Lesson" button, you are then brought to a simple but effective slideshow style lesson that walks you through teaching the lesson.  Lessons are completely laid out for, including a script to help you instruct the students properly through the given concept.  CFU questions are given to use to check the students understanding on each section of the lesson as well as a breakdown of vocabulary and speaking points that might be used to really help illustrate the topic.

Periodic Reviews are also given on adjacent slides to reiterate the previous slides points and to make sure of student comprehension before moving on to the next topic of discussion. 

Printable PDF files are available for most lessons which allows students to follow along with a paper in front of them as well as to record the answers to questions asked through the lesson. Each lesson seems to have 3-4 handouts that accompany the lesson, and some lessons also have printable quizzes.

This is not a program that you can just sit your students in front of and allow them to work independently.  This is far from passive and does require time and effort from the "teacher".  But it is nice to have the entire lesson plan laid out, along with speaking points, ready to go, just print the handouts and quizzes, load the lesson and get started.

My really big complaint about this subscription is that the math lessons are all common core aligned.  While not an absolute deal breaker for me, I prefer to avoid common core teaching, especially when it comes to mathematics (I tend to be a bit more lenient with language arts or science).   For this reason, we used more of the Language Arts lessons than we did anything else.

A secondary complaint is lack of content for younger grades.  While there were tons of math and language arts lessons for 2nd and 3rd grade, there were absolutely no lessons available for either grade in any of the other subjects.  This limited our ability to use the subscription service as there just wasn't anything beyond the math/English we could use.

Overall, I really like the concept of having full lesson plans laid out for me to just run with.  But the limited selections and the common core alignment just really limited what I wanted to use.  I do have a list of language arts and a few math lessons I plan to use, but I would like to see much more added to the other subjects to include the younger grades.

To learn more about Educeri and their subscription service, please visit their website or any of their social media sites at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/educeri/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/teacheduceri   @educeri

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Educeri/

What's In My Ipsy Bag?

Wow!! Somehow, it's been over a year since the last time I blogged about our Ipsy bag subscriptions.  That's not to say that we haven't been receiving them (we have!!) only that I have been way too lazy or busy to blog about them.  I guess now's a great time to fix that ;)

You might be wondering what Ipsy is.  Well, it's a monthly makeup subscription service. Basically, for $10 each month (with free shipping) you get a small makeup bag with 5 or 6 products inside.  Two of the products are usually a full size item while the rest are sample sizes. This is great for me as I hate spending 10 bucks on a tube of lipstick only to find that the color looks terrible on me so this allows me to try and sample new colors and products without making a real commitment.

Currently, both Alyssa and I receive our own Ipsy Glam bags however, Alyssa is currently in Texas visiting family so I am not going to blog about her products since I want her bag to be a surprise when she gets home..   (Sorry Lyss!!)   But I had some really cool gems in my bag this month :)

This month, the theme for the bag was Rebel featuring very bright, bold cosmetics.

First, the makeup bag.

 
This is probably one of the cutest bags I have received in the year that I have been getting the Ipsy Glam Bags.  Not sure why I like this one so much, whether is the bold colors or the cute graffiti look but either way, I think it's adorable.   I do wish, however, that Ipsy would think about making the zippers on the top of the bags rather than on the side as it's harder to get makeup brushes in the bag as it is.  However, I am willing to bet this baby is going to get a lot of use this month (and maybe longer).
So, what was that cute bag stuffed with??

Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Pout Potion in Famous

Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Pout Potion in Famous.  Lipgloss should smell awesome (your lips are right under your nose after all). This one has the addictive scent of a piña colada enjoyed poolside with a full color shine perfect for day or night. Famous is a purply-pink shade with a bit of blue undertones.   A bit too bright of a color for me but I will probably end up giving this one to Alyssa to play with.  It's a cute color, just a bit too young and hip for a 40 year old momma.. lol 

Rodial  Stem Cell Cleansing Cream

It's a cleanser. It’s a mask. It’s a mega moisturizing powerhouse - infused with resilient stem cells from the Alpine Rose to strengthen your skin.

• Dry spells? Meet the hydration triple threat: advanced stem cell technology, Rose Hip and Vitamin E.

• Essential nutrients are on the menu. A potent blend of antioxidants, Coconut Oil, Rose Hip Oil, Rose Wax and Coco Butter gives skin a lifted look.

• Wash away the everyday. Makes your outside as radiant as your inside.

This one I'm looking forward to trying as I enjoy sampling different face cleaners and with the dry heat here in the desert, anything that hydrates is a plus.   I haven't tried it yet but it definitely smells pretty good . 

Peter Lamas Youth Revival 5 Oil Hair Treatment Mask

Strength, body and shine. This blend of 5 exotic oils works mega magic in just 3 minutes. Faster than making a latte. Gives you even more bounce.

• Includes five luxurious oils: Abyssinian, Baobab, Mongongo, Broccoli Seed, and Kukui Nut

• A fortifying vitamin blend combined with Peptides ups the healthy factor

• Leaves your hair feeling cashmere soft and looking frizz-free

•  Peter Lamas products are 100% vegan, paraben-free, sulfate-free and petrochemical-free. 

I just recently started using oil hair masks after being extremely hesitant as I have somewhat oily hair.  I'll try this one but I have a feeling it won't replace my Novex Argan Oil Deep Conditioning Mask.  

ColourPop Cosmetics Creme Gel Eyeliner in Get Paid

Los Angeles always knows what’s trending first. And it makes sense that an LA based-and-bred brand like ColourPop is perfectly positioned to bring you the latest-and-greatest trends in shades, textures, and formulas just as they hit the street and your Instagram feed. And the best thing about them? They believe this level of fabulosity should be affordable. So all of their colors turn up the fun without breaking the bank. They also take pride in being 100% fur baby friendly and bunny approved. They only test their products on human beauty adventurers. We’ll volunteer for that job anytime. 

• Keeps it real smooth. Glides on with the lightest touch.
• Blends easily for a smokey look

Get Paid is a metallic Rose Gold color which is a big difference to the old reliable black I like to use but I am looking forward to experimenting with this eyeliner and seeing how it looks with a nice metallic smoking eye on date night.  

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Lounge 

The final product in my bag was Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Lounge.  Enter Urban Decay—the original beauty rebel. They brought their play game, seriously coloring the waters with an insane range of bright, bold and totally unexpected shades. Think electric purples, stormy charcoals, neon teal. All inspired by the grit and glamour of the city.  This multifaceted shadow switches up its look in different lighting. Duo the intrigue. Duo the fun.

• Feels like velvet. Glides on softly. Looks like wow.
• Lasts all day (and all night). Won’t get caught up in your creases. 

I REALLY like Urban Decay's products and I love the look of this eyeshadow. I love metallics like bronze and copper in eye shadows, and Lounge is  a decadent reddish-brown topped with teal-green shimmer and would probably pair nicely with a copper color.   I just might have to try this one with the Get Paid Eyeliner :) 

Ispy bags are always a lot of fun. You can get your own by visiting the Ipsy website and signing up :) 

What's In Our Ipsy Bags? (June)

It's the middle of June and it's time for another installment of What's In Our Ipsy Bags.

For those who are new, just a quick explanation. Ispy is a mail order subscription service. Each month, for 10.95, they ship out a makeup bag filled with 5 products ranging from lipsticks, eyeliners, facial cleaners and even makeup brushes. One or two are usually full sized products while the rest are typically trial sized.  It's a fun way to try new makeup brands, experiment with new colors

My daughter and I started receiving the IPSY bags last month and they were a huge hit in our house. It's been a great way to bond with my oldest and I find the 22 dollars I spend each month (for two bags) well worth it.

Each month the bags have a theme.  This month's these was "Swim Into Beauty".

This theme proved to be really cute as the makeup bag is a really stylish black with a bright coral colored zipper. The material on the front is a nice silky material with the IPSY logo embroidered in raised lettering.  The back of the bag is a very thin Neoprene material and feels like a lightweight wet suit.  The inside of the bag is lined in black and there's plenty of room for all the goodies inside and then some.

Between our two bags, this was our combined haul for the month :)

Alyssa's Bag

First up for Alyssa is the OFRA cosmetics Turquoise Eyeliner.   This color is gorgeous and is very smooth to apply. The metallic coloring gives it a really gives it a nice sparkle. This eyeliner is made with a synthetic beeswax base so its water resistant.

This was Alyssa's favorite item out of her bag.  Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Body Butter in Pure Vanilla.  I've got to agree with her, this stuff smells like absolute Heaven.  Very silky smooth on the skin. It's made with  pure Shea and Cocoa Butter and scented with Madagascar vanilla and tonka beans.  It's non greasy and contains no paraben, silicone, mineral oils or harsh chemicals.

Next up is Formula X Nail Color in Power Source.  This is a really nice color and Alyssa was kind of disappointed that she didn't get a full size version as this is only a 4ml bottle.  (I tried to tell her it will still last her a long time).  This is a very nice hot coral pink color and will be a perfect color for summer.

Alyssa and I both received the tre'StiQue Shadow Crayon. Alyssa's came in the shade of Kona Coffee which is a classic brown in a cream finish.  These glide on super easy and can be used as all over color on the lid, as a highlighter on the upper lid or in the eye crease as a contour. It's extremely blendable with a smooth finish.

Another item we both received was this Photo Finish Foundation Primer by Smashbox.  It's very lightweight and contains Vitamins A & E, grape seed extract and green tea.  The description says it diffuses the light hitting your face to blur out imperfections and helps make your makeup last all day. We haven't tried this one out just yet but Smashbox is an awesome brand so I'm sure we will be happy with it.


Mom's Bag

First up in my bag is the tre'StiQue eyeshadow crayon. Mine came in the Aspen Pine version and is a really nice deep earthy green with a gold pearl shimmer to it.  

It's been hard to decide what my favorite product out of my bag is but it would definitely be a tie between this and the next item. This is the Dr. Brandt® Skincare pores no more® vacuum cleaner.  I've used this twice now since we got it and I can say that it does what it says.  This gentle exfoliating mask helps loosen and extract blackheads without painful extraction tools while absorbing oil and tightening pores. Dr. Brandt’s exclusive formula combines Salicylic and Glycolic Acid to assist in the release of blackheads while Eijitsu Rose helps tighten pores.

This would be the second item that I am in love with. Absolute New York Nail Lacquer in Turquoise.  I put this on two nights ago and it looks just as good as when I put it on. It's a dark turquoise once it dries (it looks much lighter in the bottle). This will be perfect for summer as I'm walking around Disney World in my flip flops. :) 

Finally, this is Pure Brazilian Miracle Leave-In Conditioner. I haven't tried this yet but the product description says that this is an ultra-reparative Keratin infused conditioner that re-constructs dry damaged hair by restoring keratin proteins that have been depleted by chronological aging, styling, chemical and environmental damage.

As always,, these bags are so much fun.  If you like what you see, head over to IPSY's site and sign up for one of your own. The products inside are well over the 10 dollars a month subscription fee (the eyeliner alone in Alyssa's bag sells for 13 dollars).