Lone Star Learning~Science Vocabulary Cards Review

Lone Star Learning has created such an amazing tool for teaching children to learn vocabulary words. We were given the opportunity to try out a science set and after seeing them I remember thinking "Why didn't I think of that?"

The Science Vocabulary Pictures set one included 40 cards that were 5.5" x 8.5", fully colored and coated to make them very sturdy. The sets do not go by grade level which I think is very cool, as our home school really doesn't go by grade level either. Just ask either of my children what grade they are in and they look to me to give the questioning person an explanation. Instead, there are 4 separate sets plus a set that combines the first three sets and targets children at an early elementary level. This early elementary list has primary words from sets 1, 2, and 3 plus additional words. (82 words are in that set)

This is a great resource for children (or moms) that are visual learners. Each vocabulary word has a picture made out of it that helps the learner to remember what each word means. I especially like the reptile card. I would highly recommend these sets for children who have autism or any type of learning challenge. They are truly eye catching which is very helpful when trying to memorize a word. My daughter is 11 years old without learning challenges and my son is 13, but at a 6/7 year old level, and both children were able to learn so many new words!

The price for set one, which is what we were sent, is 29.99. As much as I love these cards this price might dissuade me into not buying many of the sets as that seems pretty high for them. If they were a bit less I could see us buying all of the science card sets. 

Make sure and check out the other reviews by other members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. Some members received vocabulary sets for Greek and Latin, Math, and Language Arts. All of these sets come with a sheet that describes different ways to use the cards, such as Word of the Day, writing poetry, and categorizing. There is also a card in each set that lists the actual definition for each word in the set of cards.

Disclaimer- I received a free copy of this product though 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.

How to help a visual learner

When it comes to learning new things I have always been a visual spatial learner. Visual learners typically like to read. They tend to need complete quiet to study, likes colors and fashion, benefit from pictures,charts and diagrams, plus have an avid awareness of the artistic beauty of the physical environment, visual media, or art. I didn't realize this though until I started to teach my own children and became aware of different learning styles. In a typical classrom setting I always did best sitting as close to the front as I could. Yes, in college I was the geeky kid sitting right in front of the teacher. Looking back it was my way of keeping myself from becoming distracted by things going on around me. If someone tells me something and I do not write it down it is likely to go in one ear and out the other no matter how hard I try. Instead if I see it in writing and combine that with typing or writing it is likely to stay in my memory. So throwing in a bit of kinesthetic learning in addition to visual learning is my style of learning.

My son with Prader-will syndrome/autism seems to need an equal mix of visual/auditory/kinesthetic to learn best. Depending on the subject he will need one more than the other. To understand math concepts he has to see it with manipulatives because if you just try to explain it to him it doesn't sink in. If I'm teaching him to memorize something though, I've noticed that he pays better attention if he is standing or moving around. If he was required to sit at a desk for hours it would not work at all. The boy loves to move! Z~girl is highly visual like me and requires complete quiet when she is concentrating. Here are some ideas to help visual learners.

~Draw maps of events in history or draw out a picture of the scientific process.

~Make outlines of the information that needs to be learned.


~Take notes and make lists of importan information.


~Educational videos- We use this a lot! It's so easy to find videos that go along with what the child is learning to back up the information in their heads.

~Copy work/drawing- Sometimes I have the children do copywork that normally goes along with our history and above it they draw a picture that goes along with what they wrote.


~Use dry erase boards with colored markers.


~Use flashcards to help memorize math facts.

~Incorprate art into learning projects!

~One of our favorites is using Lego! The possibilities are endless.

~Provide visual activities such as maps, puzzles, models, matching activities, computers and word searches.

~Diaoramas.  Both of my children (and ME) like to make dioramas. We belong to a homeschool geography club and with each country we will make a scene of some aspect of the country we have studied. Last month we did a presentation on Dennmark and my daughter made a replica of a long house, complete with real mud on the walls!

Utilizing your child's learning strengths is the key to success in helping your child achieve their individual potential!