Review ~ God's World News ~ News Flash

I first heard about God's World News magazine through the curriculum we use, it was highly recommended as a supplement for reading and keeping up with the news around the world in a Christian perspective. Every year I have considered subscribing but never took the plunge. Boy have we been missing out!

I chose News Flash to review because it is written for 3rd and 4th graders, it has kept the interest of my second grader as well. There is an edition for every grade level. Each issue has 32 pages of age appropriate articles at just the right length to keep their attention span and interest levels high.


Our subscription started with the September issue which also included a map. As we read articles we go find the location where the story took place. My kids love doing this, last year we studied Geography so this activity isn't foreign to them, and we have discovered a couple of new places. The map fits perfectly on our magnetic dry erase board so I didn't have to find wall space for it, we get it out as needed.

A few of the articles have left the kids wanting to know more, so we searched for more information. They have especially enjoyed the articles involving animals. I love it when they want to explore a topic more, it usually leads to discovering fun facts and information and feeds their desire to learn.

Many subjects are touched on including social studies, biographies, science, history, geography, language arts and math (in the form of puzzles and games), and of course reading comprehension. I especially like the BIBLE2LIFE sections where the story content is connected to what the Bible has to say about it. It is a wonderful reminder that God is always involved and cares about us here on Earth.

In addition to the printed magazine we also have access to all the magazines online. We can read from the computer or our kindle fire devices. This is nice because we each have a kindle fire, so we can all read together on the same page. We do prefer reading the print magazine, but this is a convenient option to have.

I think God's World News is a good supplement to any curriculum, and a good source of news from a Christian worldview that any family can enjoy whether they homeschool or not.

As an unexpected bonus I was sent an issue of World magazine, which is the adult version of this publication. I must say I am rarely a reader of the news simply because I do not always understand what is being talked about, or the obvious "worldliness" is something I would rather avoid. It was genuinely refreshing to read the articles in World, in fact I read it cover to cover. I felt they did a good job of explaining the topics, and because it was presented in a Christian worldview there was nothing offensive that I felt I shouldn't be reading.


 A full year subscription to God's World News magazine includes 10 issues received monthly except for May and December. The cost is $28.00 per print subscription, and also includes online access to all of the God's World News kids and teen websites. You can sign up for a free weekly email newsletter that gives even more content as well as answers to the quizzes and puzzles.

A+ Interactive Math ~ 4th Grade

My 8 and 9 year olds have been trying out a math curriculum called A+ Interactive Math. We used the CD version that is installed on a home computer, but there is also an online version so you can have math lessons on any computer anywhere. A+ Tutorsoft, Inc. created this interactive math curriculum to be easy to use for both the student and the teacher.


We chose 4th grade after taking the free placement test available on the website. A+ Tutorsoft offers curriculum for 1st grade through Algebra 1. I highly recommend taking the test because I would have chosen 3rd grade based on their age, but 4th grade was right where they needed to be.

Each lesson begins with an animated demonstration of the concept being taught. I liked that the kids could see how to solve a problem, hear it being explained, and then afterward there is an interactive Q&A session. So audio, visual, and hands on learners are covered. View a demo of how the program works here.

If they need additional practice there are worksheets to print out as well. The CD contains an entire printable workbook, you print only what you need. Being a mom of many I love printable workbooks so I can use them again later with my younger children for just the cost of ink and paper.

With the Deluxe CD version I can have up to 5 students with their own separate login. I can keep track of what they need more help with through the Parent/Teacher login, I have access to the solution guide as well. If one child is ready to move on while another needs more practice, using this software makes it easy to keep track.

I help the kids log in to the correct profile and then leave them to do the lesson on their own. Of course they still call for me often, so Im not being replaced by the computer. One of my children needs more help using the program than the other. This child found the computer voice hard to understand, and would burst into tears out of frustration. I had to sit by and stop the lesson frequently to explain what was being said until it was understood. This same child loved doing the Q&A on the computer however, and because there isnt a lot of questions it wasn't overwhelming.

Child 2 did very well without much help at all from me. I am hoping child 1 will eventually become more comfortable using it alone, but if not it is still an excellent program and both of them are learning and progressing nicely. I gave both kids the choice to either continue using A+ or go back to our old math program and they both chose A+.

Reasons I like A+ Interactive Math...

It is thorough and does a great job of teaching math.
It makes my job easier and gives me more time to work with my younger children.
I can use the CD version again when the littles get bigger.
I only have to print when it is needed.
No workbooks to buy, its all included.
The deluxe version CD includes progress tracking and parental controls.
The kids like it. That in itself is enough to make this homeschool mama jump for joy :)

My only dislike would be the computer voice being hard to understand, it is sort of monotone. But this isn't likely to be an issue for most kids.  I can always re-say it for that particular child.

 The A+ Tutor Math CD's can be purchased for $99.99 for each grade level or get the Deluxe Version CD for $124.99. There is also an online version available for $19.95 per month, $49.99 quarterly or $124.99 yearly.

 50% OFF Special Promotion through the end of MARCH. The coupon code is: SPOFFER50

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations