Math Facts Now! (TOS Review)

Learning math facts takes practice, practice, practice. 

And more practice.

I try to give the girls a variety of methods to review, so when we received Version 2.0 of Math Facts Now! to review for the TOS homeschool review crew, it was a good addition to my arsenal of review methods.

Product details

Math Facts Now! is available as an instant download for $15.95 or on a CD-ROM for $15.95 (plus $3.95 shipping).
  

The main goal of the creators of Math Facts Now! is to have your child have instant recall of math facts for all four operations. 

Math Facts Now! is kind of like electronic flashcards, with lots of customization possibilities (the following is taken from the Math Facts Now! website):

• You choose which function and which specific numbers to drill (ie: multiplication tables, 8's).
• You choose how many problems to be given in a specific session.
• You choose how much time your child is to be given to complete a problem.
• You choose how many times the child is to repeat problems that he/she made mistakes on or took too long on.
• Math Facts NOW! remembers which problems your child is having difficulty with, and automatically presents them back to the child with greater frequency!
• You choose to enter a reward for the completion of a lesson with no errors.
• You choose to print a list of your child's weak areas.

What I like:

The responsiveness of the Math Facts Now! support team.  Some of my fellow crew members thought the minimum number of problems was too high – call me a drill sergeant, but I was just fine with a minimum of 50 problems.  J  My girls just accepted (without much argument) the fact that 50 was the minimum and did the program without complaining.  My 10-yo even did 200 problems one day in a fairly short time (progress!).  Soon after some of my crew mates’ input regarding the minimum, the support folks had changed it from 50 to 5.  Customers who purchase the download will now get the program automatically set with a minimum of 5 problems (I’m not sure about the CD-ROM version), but the minimum of 50 can also be requested. 

Focused drilling.  The program isn’t flashy, so there are no distractions.  Now don’t get me wrong – there’s nothing wrong with programs with lots of graphics and games and such, and we love those too – but kids don’t always need that, and I don’t want my girls to always expect things like that.  This is a good, basic, drill program that gets the job done (the most important thing) but is still enjoyable.

I’m not sure how they do it, but the program remembers the problems that the girls had trouble with, and those questions were posed more often.  Drill drill drill!  Once you’ve missed a problem, it also gives a “Be Careful!” alert the next time the problem is given.  That made my girls really stop for a moment and think more carefully about their answer.  Also, when the kids give a wrong answer, the program requires them to type out the entire equation before moving on – another way to reinforce the answer.

The progress report feature – a quick glance tells me the number of problems missed, which problems were missed (and how many times those problems were repeated and how the girls did on the repetitions).  Progress reports can also be printed.  When a child repeats a lesson, you can track progress by comparing the progress reports.

You can edit lessons to add problems and to lessen the length of time the kids have to answer the problem.  Great for increase proficiency!

I can reward them for getting the number of correct answers required.  I have not yet chosen to do this, because I don’t want them start to expect a reward for doing their schoolwork.  But it’s a nice option to have to occasionally use as a surprise. 

Things I'd like to see
 
Right now the program only uses numbers up to 12.  I’d love it if that upper limit was increased, because I could see us using this long-term.

I wish there was a way to occasionally give them a bit of encouragement.  For instance, if you assign 100 problems, something like a “you’re doing great!” message (not graphics or anything, just text, similar to the “Be careful!” message they get when the miss a problem) after the first 50 problems, or a “keep going, you’re almost done!” when they’re getting close to the end.  Just a small thing, but for kids who have tyrant moms like me who want them to do 75-100 problems at a time it might be a great break for the kids, at least visually.

Watch out for:  

System requirements:  As of this review, it is not available for Macs or for Linux operating systems.  For Windows, it runs on Windows 2000, ME, XP, Vista and Windows 7, but it needs 7 Mb of free space.

Be sure to: 

Try the program out with the free trial here.

Final Thoughts 

I really liked this program, and feel the price is extremely reasonable (especially since they offer a refund – including shipping costs - if the product is defective or doesn’t meet your expectations).  Despite the lack of graphics, both girls (8yo and 10yo) used it without complaint, and I noticed improvement in their math skills – which is the whole point!

Thoughts of my crew mates 

To see other reviews of this product, click here. For giveaways, other product reviews and other fun things, follow the 2010-2011 TOS Homeschool Crew blog at:

 

Disclaimer: As part of the 2010-2011 TOS Homeschool Review Crew, I received the product described in this review at no cost in exchange for my fair, honest and unbiased (and not necessarily positive) review. No other compensation was received.

Possessing the Land (5th grade Bible Study by Positive Action for Christ (TOS Review)

I have never done a formal Bible study with the girls.  Instead:

• they have scripture memory work in our homeschool co-op; 
• they listen to Bible songs that help them remember Bible verses;
• they attend weekly Sunday School and "big church"; and
• they attend Awanas.

The girls love God and I can see them growing spiritually, so I haven't really worried about a formal Bible study for them.  I guess God felt differently, because as part of the TOS homeschool review crew I received Possessing the Land (click on the buttons on the left side to see each of the K-12 offerings, and the additional resources which includes the music curriculum), the 5th Grade Bible study curriculum published by Positive Action for Christ.  Positive Action for Christ produces products for grades K-12, and also produces a church curriculum.

Product Details... 

When I opened up the package, I was immediately impressed by the quality of materials that were provided.

The student's workbook retails for $12.95 and consists of 189 consumable, full-color pages with 35 lessons (lessons 17 and 35 are reviews) and includes vocabulary words, puzzles, lyrics to the songs (hymns and choruses) included in the music curriculum (note I did not receive the music curriculum as part of this review), maps, life principles for the students to ponder, and much more.

The teacher's manual retails for $33.95, comes in a three-ring binder, and consists of 282 black-and-white pages and includes (for most lessons) target truths, teaching strategies and a quiz (and answers), suggestions for additional study, character trait activities, writing assignments, discussion topic ideas, along with copies of the pages in the student's workbook with the questions completed (some of these answers will be concrete and correct, others will be open to each student's application to their own life) - and more.

The teacher's manual is also offered as a .pdf on a CD-ROM for $19.95.  I prefer the printed manual because I'm a "hold it in my hands" kind of girl, but it's nice to have an option.  

You can read descriptions and download samples of the student and teacher manuals at the website - click on the curriculum level you'd like to review, then click on the "Full Descriptions" tab.


What I like... 

I like that Punkin, my 10-yo, was immediately drawn to the student workbook.    

 

 

Pretty soon, she wanted to take it with her wherever we went - difficult, since I feel like this study needs quite a bit of parental input/guidance for the student - it is *not* a study that can (or, in my opinion, should) be done independently, at least not by my 10-yo.  It's actually kind of exciting, though - because I'm learning right along with her. 

I love that the teacher's manual is so well organized.  Some of the teacher's manuals I've seen during our homeschooling career have been so overwhelming and confusing that I just set them aside.  This teacher's manual is wonderful, and is a gold mine of additional teaching suggestions/ideas/activities.

Flexibility - the teacher's manual includes weekly lesson plans for a 3-, 4- or 5-day week. 

I really love that the questions go deep and make Punkin think about the verses and lead her toward applying them to her own life. 

Watch out for... 

Some of the questions in the student manual require deep thinking.  That's good, except when a student has never done a formal Bible study.  I found I had to do a lot of explaining to Punkin, which sometimes frustrated her when she didn't feel like she got the "right" answer.  Part of it is she was so drawn to the workbook and questions that she wanted to go fast to see what was next.  Once I asked her to slow down and put her on a "workbook budget" of only a certain number of pages, she seemed to calm down a little and grasp more.

Also, this product is intended for use in schools, but is easily adaptable for the homeschool environment. 

Be sure to... 

Read  about Positive Action for Christ's history, mission statement, and doctrinal statement here.

Check out the free resources that Positive Action for Christ has made available at the website (click on the "Free Items" tab). 

See all the smiling faces you can contact with questions here. 

Final Thoughts... 

I'm contemplating continuing this study with Punkin, but have to see if we can continue the intensive one-on-one help that it requires with her (on top of everything else we do) - we may just need to put it aside for a bit, but I'd like to pick it back up, maybe in the summer.  I'm also considering looking at a lower level for her since she's not done a formal study - maybe it'd be an easier transition for her if we started with a lower level.  When we continue it I hope to get the music curriculum that goes along with this study, because I think it would bring the hymns and choruses we sing in church to life for Punkin to know their history.  I'm also planning to order the third grade curriculum for Puddin - she's been quite jealous of her sister having such a neat Bible study.  

Thoughts of my crew mates... 

To see other reviews of this product, click here. For giveaways, other product reviews and other fun things, follow the 2010-2011 TOS Homeschool Crew blog at:
 

Disclaimer: As part of the 2010-2011 TOS Homeschool Review Crew, I received the product described in this review at no cost in exchange for my fair, honest and unbiased (and not necessarily positive) review. No other compensation was received.

First day of Bible in 90 Days...

I often feel as if I'm the only person in the world who has not read the entire Bible.  I'm constantly given chances to do it, but I just never follow through.  Events of life get in the way, or I get bogged down into too many things I haven't been able to say "no" to, or I'm just too tired.  However, none of those excuses are valid.  How am I to teach God's Word to my girls if I don't know it myself?  How can I encourage them to have a daily quiet time when I don't do it myself?  Can I really say "do as I say, not as I do" in this instance?  That's not setting a very good example.

This year one of my goals is to just get it done - read the Bible all the way through, every single word.  No studying, no reading footnotes, no in-depth research with concordances - just straight reading.  I'm determined to do it this time, and The The Bible in 90 Days program, along with an online accountability group and challenge hosted by Mom's Toolbox, will help me reach that goal.

When I decided to join the challenge, I started making grandiose plans - I'd read, my husband would read, and the girls would read a modified plan. As I thought about my plan, I started getting stressed - the first sign of wanting to quit, and I haven't even started yet!  So the grandiose plan got put aside in favor of a basic plan - I'll read during this challenge.  Maybe I'll read again during the next challenge, and I'll pray about my husband reading then too.  Then I'll come up with a reading plan for the girls.  Long-term goal?  I'll read through this time, and then start a slower read-through for the rest of the year, and then next year I'll factor the girls' reading plan into our homeschool. 

Now, to figure out how to reach my goal.  For convenience, I now have the Bible in 90 Days hardback version by my bed, the e-version on my Kindle, and the e-version on my iPhone.  Surely between those three locations I can read for an hour a day. 

If you're interested in the challenge, go check out  Mom's Toolbox.  

Today is the first day.  One of the next 18 hours of this day will be spent immersed in my Father's Word.

Blessings to all! 

Tiny Planets (TOS Review)

My husband is a computer geek.  My girls, evidently, have inherited the computer-geek gene, as they love all things related to the computer.  Of course, then, they were excited to hear that we'd be reviewing the Tiny Planets website, an award-winning online community based on space exploration, as part of the TOS review crew.

I first reviewed the website, and decided that it was better suited for my 8-yo than my 10-yo.  The first day I let Puddin' play on it, she was just a tiny bit excited that she'd have something to review that was "just hers" that she wouldn't have to share with her older sister:

The main premise of the website is that Bing and Bong (the main characters) go on various adventures to protect the universe and to teach kids social responsibility and to take care of our own planet.  There are several parts to Tiny Planets for kids to explore.  


Tiny Planets TV includes lots of television episodes which were co-created with Sesame Workshop and which emphasize science education and early learning.  


Tiny Planets Fun in Bong's Corner includes puzzle games, comics and coloring books.   


Tiny Planets Books includes books for younger children with the popular characters Bing and Bong.  


Tiny Planets Learning is for parents, educators and homeschoolers and includes lesson plans and science experiments.  


The My Tiny Planets portion of the website was Puddin's favorite - this is where you complete missions for Bing and Bong, and also where you can create your own planet.


And that's not all - this website contains so much content it can't be described - it has to be experienced by your young space-lover!


You can find more general information about the website and its background at the Parents page. 


You must have a parent account to set up "cadet" accounts for your children.  Much of the site is free, but the parent account allows you to purchase "keys" which will unlock even more content.  I found the price for the keys to be very reasonable - 10 keys for $1.95, 25 keys for $3.95, 85 keys for $9.95, 250 for $25.95, or 600 for $49.95.  I also liked that the website gives you a choice of cadet names so that no inappropriate names can be chosen by children.  Also, the website is ad-free.
  
Puddin was immediately engaged in the website - I had to do very little to help her figure out how to maneuver through the website and play the games - and before I knew it she had befriended lots of other "cadets".  I'll admit I found it hard to maneuver through the games - guess that shows how technologically advanced today's kids are.  


The first day I allowed her to play for a couple hours, and she's asked to play again frequently since.  I think the educational value is better suited for younger children (even though the website states it's appropriate for ages 4-12), but that may be because Puddin' has always been intensely interested in space and has been able to name the planets, in order, since she was about 3.  (One of the continuing arguments in our household is whether or not Pluto is a planet.)  Hence, the space games on this website were right up her alley.

She *loved* the TV shows, especially that gadget-loaded furry white couch (you have to see it to understand!).  But her favorite part of the website was in the My Tiny Planets area where you can adopt your own planet to name and take care of, including choosing atmosphere, landscape, etc.  Pretty cool.


Puddin's only complaint was that our computer evidently isn't fast enough, as she got the "Loading" screen quite a bit. 


Now that I've seen how much Puddin' enjoys the website, I'll probably also allow Punkin' (the 10-yo) to play. While I think the educational content is a bit low for their ages, it's still a very enjoyable website and much better than many of the other websites out there geared toward kids.  I'll probably add it in to my list of "reward" choices for jobs well done.



To see other reviews of this product, click here. For giveaways, other product reviews and other fun things, follow the 2010-2011 TOS Homeschool Crew blog at:
 

Disclaimer: As part of the 2010-2011 TOS Homeschool Review Crew, I received the product described in this review at no cost in exchange for my fair, honest and unbiased (and not necessarily positive) review. No other compensation was received.

Wits & Wagers by Northstar Games (TOS Review)

We've loved just about everything we've received as part of the TOS Homeschool Review Crew, but I have to admit we were all excited when we learned we'd be receiving a *board game* to review, especially when it arrived during the Thanksgiving holiday season!  

The box was opened as soon as it arrived.  Out came Wits & Wagers Family, a game I had never heard of from a maker I had never heard of (North Star Games).  Wits & Wagers Family is meant to be played by ages 8+, and by 3-10 players/teams.

 

The game comes with: a scorecard (with circles to color in as you score points); 5 individual white boards and one "1" answer board; five dry erase pens; five sets of "meeples" (one small and one large meeple in colors matching the individual white boards); and a deck of question cards, each card containing two questions on the front, with the correct answers and a bit of trivia about each question on the back).

Easy instructions meant an easy explanation to my girls (8 and 10) who were anxious to immediately play - and play we did!  To play, a question is read (they recommend going through the entire deck by reading the first question on each card, then going back through the deck using the second questions).  Each player writes his best guess of the answer on his white board, and places it face down.  Once all players have guessed, the white boards are turned over and the guesses placed in numerical order (including the "1" card, which is always used). Then each player places his meeples on the guess that he thinks is closest to the correct answer without going over (when I explained this part, my oldest said "Hey, just like The Price is Right!"), which is considered the winning answer.  You can put both your meeples on the same guess or on two different guesses if you're not sure.  If you think all the guesses are too high, you can also put your meeples on the "1" card.

The correct answer is read (along with the trivia, which we thought was always interesting), and points are tallied for the winning answer - two points for a large meeple placed on the winning answer, one point for a small meeple placed on the winning answer, and one point to the person who wrote down the winning answer.  The first person to reach 15 points wins!

The questions cover a wide range of topics - from things you learned in elementary school (the boiling point of water), to things you've never really given a second thought (what percentage of U.S. kids ages 10-14 own a cell phone).  You don't even have to know the answer - you take a guess as to who might know the answer *best*, or just plain take your chances!

Another plus to this game is that it's quick - no two-hour game sessions with this one unless, like my girls, your kids say "Let's play again!" when you're done. 

My only wish is that they issue an expansion pack of question cards soon, because at the rate we're playing, we'll be done with all the questions before the New Year!

Wits & Wagers Family retails for $19.99 - a bargain in my book, considering all the fun my family has already had with this game.  Click here to buy, or visit your local Target, Barnes & Noble, or specialty toy/game store.  The "Buy" section of the website features a "Find a Store Near You" function which as of the date of this review says "coming soon...," but hopefully will be operational soon.

You can contact the folks at North Star Games here, find out current news about the games at the Insider's Corner, and check out their other fun products here.  Also be sure to visit the "Meet the Designers" section of the website for some cool info on who invested these games!

To say my family thoroughly enjoys this game would be an understatement.   If you're looking for a last-minute Christmas gift, please consider this game! 

To see other reviews of this product, click here. For giveaways, other product reviews and other fun things, follow the 2010-2011 TOS Homeschool Crew blog at:
 

Disclaimer: As part of the 2010-2011 TOS Homeschool Review Crew, I received the product described in this review at no cost in exchange for my fair, honest and unbiased (and not necessarily positive) review. No other compensation was received.

The Master Ruler - by Master Innovations (TOS Review)

Fractions.  The bane of many homeschool moms who are attempting to teach them - including, at times, this homeschooling mom.  Sometimes it seems like the girls "get it", sometimes it doesn't.

When I learned I'd be receiving the Master Ruler to review as part of the TOS homeschool review crew, I was intrigued. Honestly, I'd never heard of Master Innovations, Inc. the maker of the Master Ruler along with with several other products (including Master Clock, Master Fractions and Master Angles).  I had secretly hoped to receive Master Fractions (so I could evaluate how it reinforced our fraction knowledge) to review, but was very pleasantly surprised when the Master Ruler arrived - I could also use it for fraction practice!  

My package included the Master Ruler Standard ($9.95), the Master Ruler Metric ($9.95), the Master Ruler Workbook ($15.95) (available in English and English/Spanish, and ), and the Marvels of Measurement poster ($10.00).

The Master Ruler captured my attention immediately - this is a cool little teaching gadget!  Both the standard version and the metric version consist of spiral-bound "layers".  On the standard version, the "bottom" layer is opaque white, with inches marked in red.  Flip over the first see-through overlay and you see blue markings in half-inch increments, but the red inch markings on the bottom layer are still visible. This helps the child relate half-inches to inches. This method repeats on the following three overlays beginning with 1/4" increments (in green), 1/8" increments (in orange) and 1/16" increments (in purple). The inch markings on each overlay get shorter, so that the colored inch markings of each layer are visible at all times.  

I know that was very confusing, so here's a video that will better explain how the rulers are set up and how they work:

You can see other videos on Master Innovation's products here.  You can contact Master Innovations here. 

My girls loved playing with the rulers and using the workbook. The workbook pages are black/white which usually doesn't hold my kids' attention, but they were so interested in measuring and comparing that they didn't seem to care about the lack of color.  The workbook begins with a *great* reference chart on the metric system which includes a list of similar English measures.  The workbook includes measurement, map skills, scale drawings, area/perimeter, volume, diameter and measurement hints.  Warning - before you give the workbook to your kids, remove the answer key in the back!  My girls enjoyed working through the workbook, and have continued to use the master ruler to measure a variety of items throughout our house (including their feet!).  They now prefer the master ruler to a regular ruler and I agree with them since it's much easier to see the measurements!

The best result of our use of the master ruler is that the girls were able to see the relation between the different increments of measurement - the formerly abstract concept of fractions was made more concrete - a "light bulb" moment!

Genius - pure genius.  I highly recommend it.  This is one of those "why didn't I think of that?" products. 

Another beautiful result - the girls have *asked* if we can get the fractions and angles products from Master Innovations.  You have to love it when kids want to learn. 

To see my crewmates' reviews of this product and other Master Innovations products, click here.

For giveaways, other product reviews and other fun things, follow the 2010-2011 TOS Homeschool Crew blog at:
 

Disclaimer: As part of the 2010-2011 TOS Homeschool Review Crew, I received the product described in this review at no cost in exchange for my fair, honest and unbiased (and not necessarily positive) review. No other compensation was received.

Corps of Re-Discovery - Patchwork Quilt Kit (TOS Review)

I admit it.  I'm not crafty or inventive.  I know that crafts would "enrich" our homeschool, but seeing something that I have to put together or sew or glue or similar actions makes me want to tuck tail and run.  Naturally I worry that the girls are missing out on experiences, so I occasionally ignore the urge to run and plow right in.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Two years ago I came across Corps of Re-Discovery at a homeschool conference.  Lured into their booth by the cornhusk dolls on display, I wandered around and explored their product kits. At that time we weren't doing anything with American history and, while I was intrigued by all the craft kits they offered, I left the booth empty-handed (and, may I say, a bit relieved).

Corps of Re-Discovery is the business of a homeschool family who studied American history by studying America. Imagine an extended trek through 47 states - what is a dream for many of us became a reality for this family when they traveled the country in a 32-foot motor home for fourteen months.  Their journey inspired the family to form Corps of Re-Discovery, which offers project kits and other items relating to (a) American Indians, (b) Frontiersmen, (c) Pioneer and Colonial and (d) Leather Working.  Prices range from $1.99 (for a raccoon tail) to $71.92 (for a combination pack of six of the Pioneer kits).  You can contact Corps of Re-Discovery here.

This year at the homeschool conference was a different story, since the spine we're using covers American History - so when I walked by their booth I remembered what neat kits they offered and felt compelled to go in and actually buy something.  My girls *love* American Girl dolls, so I knew Corps of Re-Discovery's patchwork quilt kit would be a huge hit.  Problem was, they only had a few quilt kits left, and I couldn't find just the right pattern/color for Puddin.  I purchased one that I knew Punkin would like, with the intention of ordering another for Puddin from their website.

Since I'm the world's worst procrastinator, that order was never placed so the lone quilt kit sat taunting me for months.

I was delighted when I learned I'd be receiving a patchwork quilt kit from Corps of Re-Discovery to review for the TOS Homeschool crew - now both girls would have a quilt kit!  Of course, that also meant that I'd actually have to be creative, so my delight was tempered with a bit of dread.  One afternoon I bravely brought out the quilt kits to show the girls.  Luckily Puddin loved the color/pattern choice on the quilt we received for this review, so both girls were happy and ready to get started.

We took everything out of the pouches - the quilt kits come with 100% cotton pre-cut fabric pieces for the quilt top, fabric for the backing, polyester batting, thread and yarn.  Also needed to complete the quilt are a sewing needle, yarn  needle, scissors, tape measure or ruler, and an iron. 

I doled out the fabric pieces to the girls with a little explanation about how to lay them out, and off they went to plan.

 

Both girls worked on their layouts for quite a while - I think they were seeking quilt perfection!

While they were planning their quilt layouts, I read the three pages of instruction.  And read them again.  And again.  (Did I mention that I'm not very crafty?)  After the third time through, I became a bit frustrated with the lack of pictures/diagrams.  I grabbed a piece of paper and started reading through the instructions again, this time making diagrams as I went along.  After I finished, I had a much clearer picture of what to do and how to do it.  (Hmm...does that make me a visual learner?)  Even though the kit comes with three pages of fairly detailed instructions, it would still be beneficial to have additional diagrams included - and since the instructions are printed two-sided there is an entire side of the paper that is blank, meaning there's plenty of room for more diagrams to help non-sewers and non-quilters like me. 

By the time the girls decided on their final layout, I was too flustered to continue for very long (note this was primarily from feeling inept at projects like - no reflection on the product itself).  We sewed a few squares together, but my girls (warning - guilty admission coming) have never sewn by hand or used a sewing machine, so it wasn't really something I felt they could do on their own. Our quilts remain unfinished at the moment, simply because of scheduling issues (we're in the throes of Nutcracker rehearsals).  One note - don't let my creative failure stop you from trying the quilt kit.

After the busy-ness of the holiday season is over, we are determined to finish this project because I know the quilts will be adorable.  The patterns/colors they choose for the kits are very pretty, and I'm thrilled that most of the necessary items come in the kit (except for things that you'd normally have around the house).  I'm also hoping this project will give the girls hand-sewing skills (and confidence) so that they can continue doing projects like this.  Since Punkin loves to draw dress designs on paper, I suspect she will want to design her own quilt.  That spark of creativity will be worth 1000 times the price of the quilt kit (which, by the way, is regularly $14.99; the kit is on sale at the time of this review for $11.99).

We hope to try some of the other kits Corps of Re-Discovery offers, but won't do so until we finish the quilts.  Be sure to check out all the other kits that make fabulous hands-on activities to all American history studies.  I'll be reading with interest the reviews of my crewmates (some of whom received different kits to review), which you can find here. 


For giveaways, other product reviews and other fun things, follow the 2010-2011 TOS Homeschool Crew blog at:
 

Disclaimer: As part of the 2010-2011 TOS Homeschool Review Crew, I received the product described in this review at no cost in exchange for my fair, honest and unbiased (and not necessarily positive) review. No other compensation was received.