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Homeschool brochure
Founded to help students prepare for the National Spelling
Bee, Hexco Academic has grown over time, and with much input from our customers,
we now offer a range of products for serious students who are learning at home. We believe we offer the highest-caliber products available in the following disciplines:
Spelling and Vocabulary
Spelling Mentor Software for Homeschool covers 1,200 words for 2nd-4th grades and 1,500 words for 5th-6th grades for building a strong spelling foundation with a large number of grade-appropriate words.
This package includes a Companion book that expands on spelling
rules and assimilation of Latin prefixes and suffixes to improve the overall learning experience.
The software is equipped to handle up to 20 students at one location. The computer
pronounces the
word while the phonetic pronunciation(s), definition(s), part(s) of speech, and
sentence using the word are displayed. The student then attempts to spell
the word by typing it in as directed. If the word is incorrect, he or she may spell again, ask for the
next letter, or ask for the correct spelling. Automatically, history is
retained of words missed the last attempt and all the words ever missed or
flagged, so that a student can hone sessions to only the words that are personally difficult. A teacher's guide is optional, and this presents a day-by-day and week-by-week curriculum for students to follow.
Our 7th-8th grade and 9th-12th software
for homeschool is based on on the University Interscholastic League's word lists used in spelling and vocabulary competitions in Texas. With 900 and 1,500 words respectively the lists are extensive and challenging, but not unmanageable. As with the lower grades, pronounciations, definitions and parts of speech are given, and multiple students will be able to track their progress.
The Old Schoolhouse reviewed this software with the following excerpt:
"The Spelling Mentor... lays down a firm foundation of understanding
for our children, to all the confusing rules, and exceptions to those rules.Very Highly Recommended!"
For the full text of this review, go to The Old Schoolhouse.
Spelling Rules
Book entitled Why Isn't 'Phonetic' Spelled The Way It
Sounds? How do I know when to use 'ible' instead of 'able' in
a suffix? Is there a way to tell whether I should have a double letter when I add a prefix? The Spelling Rules Book addresses these topics, and it can be
used in conjunction with a list of words whereby a rule is analyzed, then
appropriate words are found in any word list that adhere to the particular
rule. Nothing is better for building and expanding a student's spelling foundation
than
our Spelling Rules Book!
The book covers it all, from the basic rules most of us learn early like i-before-e
to the conventions for handling exceptions to rules, to making words plural, and even such topics as determining where to use -ous or -us. Explanations are given on the differences between suffixes as -itis and -itus and differences between prefixes as dis- and dys-. Beyond that, it contains an
extensive etymology section, with an encyclopedic list of Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and
suffixes, all with meanings and words derived from each, PLUS an entire section devoted to
spelling words that came into our language from French, German, Italian,
Japanese, Spanish, and a
host of other languages. It has enough information in it to keep a speller
learning for years!
Spelling Rules Book $70
Verbomania means "passion, craze, or obsession with words." This prep book
contains over 13,000 vocabulary-enriching words at the level found on the SAT
and ACT tests. As the verbal portion of the SAT is now weighted twice as heavily
as the math, a firm grasp of vocabulary is crucial to achieving a high score.
The words are the more colorful and interesting in the English language. Each
word in Verbomania is presented with definition(s), part(s) of
speech, and pronunciation(s).
Verbomania $75
Dictionary Skills help students explore either Webster's
Collegiate Dictionary or Webster's Intermediate Dictionary. They
include five
practice tests to encourage students to delve into the various areas of
information afforded by each of these dictionaries. All tests have answer
keys and are reproducible for use at one location.
Dictionary Skills Practice Packet $55
Etyma Mentor Software and Notes specifically addresses Greek
and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes. The software works in a manner similar
to the spelling software. A student is given a definition and two challenging words which use the root, prefix, or suffix, with the Latin or Greek element omitted and
replaced with dashes in the words. The student is then asked to enter the
missing element and upon correctly answering is also given two more common and
familiar words and definitions that use the same prefix, suffix, or root. The intent is to teach students these elements by relating them ultimately to common words that use each element because it is easier to learn something new that is related to something that is known. Each student's records of progress is kept so study sessions can be tailored to a students progress and individual pace of learning. The software
is capable of handling up to twenty students and keeps records of elements missed,
elements mastered, and those that have not yet been covered. Etyma Notes is the book form of our Etyma Mentor Software and may be purchased separately.
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Expository Writing
Expository Writing Concepts presents clear and
concise suggestions for improving writing skills and building one's own style. It includes good and
poor examples of writing and expands on specific methods to improve your skills, plus
offers practice exercises. A selection of topics for expository
writings is included in the appendix along with a rubric for grading.
Expository Writing Concepts $25
Literary Criticism
LitCriticals
Mini-Courses present an approach to studying
great literature and gaining insight into the critical analysis of
selected works. Each volume presents three works
from the major literary genres (fiction, drama, and poetry) in a way
that is interesting and informative with a step-by step approach to studying
literature. This approach is designed to work hand-in-hand with learning the myriad of
literary terms and criticism techniques presented in Handbook to Literature by Harmon, Holman, and Thrall, a comprehensive resource on contemporary
literature and literary criticism which is available through the library. (Amazon is a good source for new and used books in good or better condition) The selections for each of the available volumes are
on the order page and others are in the works, so give us a call. 1-800-725-2627.
Lit Criticals Mini-Courses $50
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Geography
Visualize World Geography is a unique and fun approach to learning the locations of the world's countries. The book comes with a CD and uses pictography, mnemomic devices, jingles, and clever stories to weave a web of associations between countries to help students remember where they are located relative to each other. The included CD covers flags and basic statistical facts about the countries and their populations. Geography is becoming increasingly important in today's world, and this book will help even the youngest students learn quickly.
Visualize World Geography $35
GeoMentor software will challenge your students on facts about the world, whether your interest is strong geography skills or an aspiration to go to the National Geographic Bee. This software includes 1,000 multiple choice questions broken in categories such as physical geography, terms, capitals, waterways, world facts, and more. The software will track the progress of up to 20 students, keeping up with missed questions as well as allowing a student to flag questions for further review.
Mental Math
Mental Math assists students in learning to work math in their heads instead of relying on calculators! Our Mental Math Mentor is designed in a self-paced, tutorial format which teaches over 50 great
problem-solving skills and shortcuts. All the skills are presented with
easy-to-follow explanations and examples. Then it takes the students on to hands-on
exercises to practice their new expertise. The software package includes the
book, Mental Math Notes.
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Computer Applications
Computer Applications
Concepts expands a student's knowledge of
spreadsheet, databases, and word processing immeasurably.
Volume 1 -
Excel is
newly updated and ready to take your student through Excel's powerful features
and facilities. Written in a friendly, tutorial format, this book covers
the use of basic features up through multiple sheets, charts and graphs, pivot tables, and many other
advanced features and techniques.
Volume
2 - Database/Access, also recently updated, guides
students from the very beginning of building a database and table through the mastery of Microsoft Access. In today's world, a
proficiency in Microsoft Access has become a valuable and highly
sought after commodity!
Volume 3 - Integration presents the inner workings of the integration of
Microsoft Excel, Access, and Word. This volume covers creation of reports or graphs in a
spreadsheet environment and importation into a document
or database in a
step-by-step manner. Methods of filtering data in databases and merging
names and addresses into documents are explored, resulting in making the
application package a user-friendly tool.
Volume
4 - Spreadsheet Functions presents many of the available functions
which are found in today's spreadsheet applications in
a tutorial format that assumes nothing but a basic knowledge of Excel. This step-by-step approach ensures that a student follows and
understands the concepts and capabilities presented. Helpful activities and
exercises are given along the way to keep the progress positive, plus a collection of
hands-on activities is included to test a student's ability to apply the
functions and facilities covered. Making an invaluable desk reference, Spreadsheet Functions applies to Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Works, Corel Quattro Pro, and Lotus spreadsheet environments, and it encourages a student's own notes in the
margins. Working through this book will ensure a new level of competence
and expertise of any spreadsheet application.
Computer Science
Computer Science Concepts - Java assumes a basic knowledge of the programming
language Java and explores the powerful features of the language with emphasis on
critical skills used. Such topics as iteration, arrays, objects and
classes, string manipulation, pointers, binary trees, linked lists, and many
other features are defined in a tutorial format to allow progression at a
student's own pace. Answers are provided along the way to keep students on
the right track, and a CD with programming activities is included that ensures
a student's comprehension of many of the features presented. This is
accompanied by answer keys and judging criteria.
Computer Science Concepts - Java $60
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