Archive for homeschool
Go Science
Posted by: | CommentsCan one ever have too much science or too many experiments? My children certainly don’t think it’s possible, and I constantly feel like I have a wide gap in our science curriculum. I’m always eager to fill that nagging space with solid material.
Go Science is a Creation based Science DVD Series, authored by Mr. Ben Roy, and created to supplement elementary and middle school science courses.
Mr. Roy has taught elementary and middle school, also serving as principal. He has been awarded Teacher of the Year, and maintains teacher certifications in two states. He is a past director of a TV newschannel Science Theater, and continues to travel extensively with his live science shows.
Presently, there are 6 DVD’s in the Go Science Series. Running time per DVD varies from 29 minutes to 59 minutes. Each DVD is divided into several segments, around 3-6 minutes each. Each segment spotlights a specific experiment. Ben Roy “captivates, motivates, and inspires students to be excited about science, while providing effective instruction based on science phenomena. Each spectacular demonstration of physical or chemical science has a spiritual application and points to our Creator!” ~ quoted from the web page. With purposeful intent, he teaches students to acknowledge that, “Every time we learn something about SCIENCE, we learn something about our CREATOR GOD!”
Regularly listed for $14.95 each – or $79.95 for the set of 6 – Library & Educational Services makes the Go Science DVDs available for just $8.97 each, or $47.95 for the entire set. LES is a wholesale company, serving “resellers, educators, librarians, home educators, as well as church leaders such as pastors or directors of children’s ministries.” They supply wholesome, educational books, DVDs, CDs, games, and more, at 30% – 70% off retail prices!
Motion: Discovering the Laws of Gravity and Motion - includes a Gyroscope and Newtonian Cradle
Simple Machines, Sound and Weather – includes an Incline Plane, Trebuchet, and Making a Cloud
Magnetism, Engineering, Electricity, and Design – includes Making a Compass, Light Bulb, Solar Energy, and a Heat Engine
Chemistry, States of Matter, and Life Science – including Chemical Luminescence and Optical Illusion
Air and Flight – including the Bernoulli Effect, Drum Crush, and Balloon Balance
Water, Space, and the Solar System – includes how to Boil Water in a Paper Cup, and how to Make a Rocket
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The Go Science Series is recommended for ages 6-14. My 7 year old was the only one that honestly appreciated it. There is just enough “action” to keep her attention long enough to gain a nugget of scientific information. Everyone else thought they were far too juvenile to be engaging. Although, Mr. Roy is quite knowledgeable and passionate about teaching science, his program seems dated, and lacks some of the depth, the how‘s and why‘s of the experiments, that is needed to hold the attention of an older student. My personal recommendation is early elementary, possibly 5-10 years old.
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If you have questions or comments for him, you can contact him via email - benroy@gosciencezone.com, write - Mr. Roy, 27 Winter Lane, Ringgold, GA 30736, or call – 423.596.7469.
Please, follow the links I’ve posted here, for more details, and as always, you can click the graphic below and read the opinions shared by my Crew mates.
Blessings,
Disclaimer* A downloadable copy of this product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you for your comments.
Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Capable of Sustaining Liberty
Posted by: | CommentsThe Bible is our standard for living, not our brother or sister, not our friend or neighbor. God’s Living Word is the center of our life, or at least it’s supposed to be the center. Stray very far from the precepts of The Bible and it doesn’t take long for life to get out of kilter.
Judah Bible Curriculum supports The Bible, as The Master textbook. Making The Bible the source of every aspect of education.
Click to read – What is the Judah Bible Curriculum? – from the website.
The author, Bill Burtness, uses the Principle Approach as the foundation for Judah Bible Curriculum. I’m sorry to say, I wasn’t familiar with Principle Approach, as a philosophy or method, before my introduction to this curriculum. On my own, I’ve implemented pieces and parts, but not the whole. Principle Approach “is designed to build character in teacher and student capable of sustaining liberty.” I’ve spent years focusing on and building Godly character, but not with one eye, so to speak, on the goal of sustaining our liberty.
This is what Mr. Burtness says, “As America has veered away from God, and increased in dependence on the state, while becoming more chaotic, the critical need is to educate a generation of Christians who are intelligent based in Truth, self-taught not media taught, and self-governed under God not dependent on state control. With the Judah Bible Curriculum, your children will be studying The Bible, not just studying about The Bible.” Personally, I can wholeheartedly embrace this.
Judah Bible Curriculum is time intensive. It involves preparation for the parent/teacher, as student AND then as the teacher. JBC gives you the tools, to learn to teach, on 8 MP3 downloads. I was overwhelmed, at times. I’ve taught Bible for years, and some days felt like I didn’t know anything.
Written for all students, K-12, the lessons, themselves, are not difficult. Though, the program is set up for 5 days of study per week, it is flexible. Following the design, you learn and teach The Old Testament the first semester, and The New Testament the second semester. The Bible is divided into five, chronological, time periods -
- Creation
- The Plan of Redemption Begins
- Kingdom of Israel
- Kingdom of God
- Early Church
Throughout the study you’re asking: Where do you see the hand of God? Where do you see the character of God? and Where does the Key (individual, event, institution, or document) belong in His purpose? The student is taught to research, reason, and apply. It is a methodical, step by step, precept upon precept, process of study.
We use the Judah Bible Curriculum as a family Bible study. We start each lesson with prayer, then read the selected verses from Scripture. Discussion flows through note taking, utilizing the Key Notes that are supplied. I might add drawing, map reading, coloring pages, dictionary or concordance work, and additional reading, as a supplement to the lesson, according to the needs of each of my children. But, I also have the freedom to not add anything, and move on to the next lesson.
The design of the curriculum focuses repeatedly on the main themes, adding different details over the years and expanding with the age or knowledge of the student. I set the pace for my family.
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“The resulting character we are striving to produce in ourselves and our students will be capable of sustaining freedom without anarchy, order without tyranny, peace and prosperity.” “We should be totally and internally governed by His Word.”
Click to read - Judah Bible Curriculum Philosophy
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Judah Bible Curriculum delivered online is $44.00
-Judah Bible Curriculum K-12 Manual, ebook
-Elementary Notebooks Ideas booklet, ebook
-8 lecture teacher training seminar, listen online or download
Judah Bible Curriculum w/Hard Copy is $69.00, plus s/h
-Judah Bible Curriculum K-12 Manual, print version
-Elementary Notebooks Ideas booklet, print version
-8 lecture teacher training seminar CD
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Comments or Questions?
The Judah Bible Curriculum
P.O. Box 122
Urbana, IL 61803
217-344-5672
I think this is just what our homes and our country needs. I hope you’ll follow my links and visit their website. You can also read what my crew mates have to say when you click the graphic below.
Blessings,
Disclaimer* A downloadable copy of this product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Truly, they do! Thank you.
Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
5 Days of Artistic Expression 001
Posted by: | Comments
What is Artistic Expression?
The dictionary defines artistic as showing skill or excellence in execution; naturally gifted with creative skills. Another definition says – showing imaginative skill in arrangement. I can accept showing imaginative or creative skills in an arrangement, but even the remarkable, Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, and architect, Michelangelo Buonarroti did not claim to be naturally gifted or excellent in his execution. He said, “If people knew how hard I had to work to gain my mastery, it wouldn’t seem wonderful at all.”
Ideal Face by Michelangelo
Expression is an act, process, or instance of representing, or conveying in a medium – art, music, words; movement. I like the word conveying; so, the process of conveying information or emotion through art, music, words; movement. “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” ~ Edgar Degas (French Impressionist painter, sculptor & draughtsman.)
There are so many mediums available, I believe everyone can be artistically expressive, in one way or another. Drawing, Sketching, Coloring, Painting, Composing or Writing comes easily to mind. Photography, Videos, Music, Dance and Choreography, Scrapbooking, Storytelling and Cooking, are all outlets for artistic expression. Don’t limit yourself or your child. Artistic expression can also be squashed at a young age and never be recovered. Vincent van Gogh, Post-Impressionist painter, said, “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”
Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh
Why promote artistic expression?
Art education teaches children to be creative and innovative. It can increase cognitive and social development, and boost self-esteem. Most art skills require observation and reflection. These skills translate into problem solving skills for math, writing, and science. “Math is not just about numbers, formulas and logic, math is also about structure, symmetry, shape and beauty,” says University of Colorado math professor Carla Farsi. “Conversely, art is not only about emotion, color and aesthetics, but also about rhythm, patterns and problem solving.”
Children learn best when both sides of their brains are engaged. The reading, writing, math, and science activities are centered in the left hemisphere of the brain. The right hemisphere is responsible for imagination. The right side is artistically dominant. Activities that cross over, stimulating both hemispheres, promote participatory and interactive learning. The more faculties involved, the more likely a child is to retain what he’s learned. Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist, said, “I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.”
E=mc[squared]
How do I teach artistic expression?
“A child’s attitude toward everything is an artist’s attitude.” ~ Willa Cather, American author
Encourage the act of creating art! Supply visual, auditory, and physical motivators; prompts, but give your students the freedom to express themselves without parameters. “Just as our eyes need light in order to see, our minds need ideas in order to create,” believes Nicole Malebranche (French rationalist philosopher; theologian.)
Drawing is one of the first ways a child learns to express himself, and with encouragement he wants to continue to learn. Coloring outside the lines is art! Coloring the dog red, or the rainbow brown, is art! French Romantic painter, Eugene Delacroix said, “The source of genius is imagination alone, the refinement of the senses that sees what others do not see, or sees them differently.” “No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist.” ~ Oscar Wilde (Irish poet, playwright and novelist.)
We recreate our world from our own experience and understanding of life. It’s not about perfection! The most famous artist of the 20th Century, Pablo Picasso, is quoted as saying, “The world today doesn’t make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do?
L’Accordeoniste, Cubist painting, by Picasso
I did not teach my children art history, or present the works of The Master’s, until they were much older. I didn’t want them being influenced by or comparing their work to another’s technique. In their early years, I gave them little instruction – how to hold a brush, how to create perspective; how to use empty space, etc. I did not teach them how to draw, nor did I dictate what was to be drawn. If they wrote a song, I didn’t correct it because the bridge was seemingly in the wrong place. Every poem written didn’t have to rhyme or fit a traditional Japanese-style haiku form, or any other form, for that matter. “No amount of skillful invention can replace the essential element of imagination.” ~ Edward Hopper (American realist painter & printmaker.)
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I cultivate artistic expression with five basic steps.
Composition – placing together -
The musician, by placing notes together -
The writer, by placing words together -
The artist, by placing images or movements together.
Imagination – visualizing in your mind -
What do you see around you?
How do you reconstruct what you see?
Observation – focusing on the details -
Paying attention to people, animals, structures, colors and textures -
Using all five senses – seeing, tasting, smelling, touching, and hearing.
Communication – imparting your view, insight, feelings -
Telling a story with your art work.
Recognition – showing the artist’s work – building confidence -
Display in a hallway gallery or on the refrigerator -
Print a book -
Make a recording or video.
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“Don’t let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to start where he was.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet, essayist, and philosopher.
Blessings,
*Hop over to the Crew Blog, for more encouragement, ministry, information, and pure fun! Just click the graphic below and follow the link…
Thanks for your comments. I appreciate you.
Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Coming Soon To a Blog Near You!
Posted by: | CommentsThe Old Schoolhouse (R) Homeschool Crew Blog will be jumpin’ and hoppin’ from
May 14th through May 18th.
Join 65 bloggers, including me, for 5 Days of…Blogging! The subjects are as diverse as we are.
Look for this graphic on each of my blog posts.
Click and follow the link and you’ll be able to hop easily, from blog to blog, topic to topic.
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I’ll be writing 5 Days of Artistic Expression!
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The other themes run the gamut! You’ll find -
and over 50 more!
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I hope you’ll join us!
Blessings,
I’m not receiving any compensation for this – I’m writing just for fun! I’m writing because I have the privilege of participating in a Blog Hop with a group of wonderfully talented bloggers!
Thanks for your comments.
*Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Great Literature at Affordable Prices
Posted by: | CommentsHave you ever discovered something new and then wondered how you lived without it before you found it?
I buy books. Yes, I have an outstanding local library and free access to thousands of books. But, it makes me giddy to find a book treasure at a yard sale, thrift shop or bargain basement, purchase it and bring it home to my library! I can browse for hours, looking through the crisp new books in Books-A-Million or the used book section of Goodwill. We use so many living books with our homeschool curriculum that my reason, for looking at any given book selection, is legitimized, or so I tell myself and my honey-of-a-husband.
My latest don’t-know-how-I-lived-without-it discovery is Homeschool Library Builder. Oh, my, seriously! How did I not know there is “a Christian family-run book business dedicated to providing great literature at affordable prices,” right at my fingertips, online?
Shop by Category:
Fiction ~
American Girls Collection
Great Illustrated Classics
Dear America Series
DK Eyewitness Books
The Middle Ages
The Young United States: 1783-1830
OR
Ambleside
Beautiful Feet
Five In A Row
Heart of Dakota
Sonlight
Tapestry of Grace
Preschool through High School and Adult
Africa
Asia
Australia
Europe
North America
Polar Regions
South America
INCLUDING
Vintage & Hard-to-Find Books ~
- Publisher’s remainder – New, never read condition
- Ex-library – Hard cover, very good condition
And hundreds more!
Membership is free, and not even necessary, but does have it’s benefits. As a member you can earn HSLB Book Points that can be used toward your future purchases. The more I (you) purchase = the more points I (you) earn. They also have a Share the Savings Program – every first time purchaser, who becomes a member and enters my (your) name as a referral, Homeschool Library Builder will award me (you) 45 Book Points. Cool!
I think you’ll really like this website! It’s an exceptional way to build your own library. Especially, during May 2012, when everything is 25% off their already low prices. “Fill your bookshelves without emptying your wallet!”
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Be sure to stop by The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew blog and read what my mates think of Homeschool Library Builder.
Comments or Questions?
Write -
Blessings,
Disclaimer* If I want to take advantage of it, I may receive an additional 10% off one order, in exchange for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks for stopping by, reading and sharing your comment. I appreciate you!
Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Why History is Important
Posted by: | CommentsOf course, I took history classes in school. I even knew how to memorize names and dates, pass tests, and make good grades. A love of history was not instilled in me, it was just something I had to learn, to get the credit, to move on.
Of course, I’ve taught history. Well sort of. I admit, it hasn’t always seemed important and I haven’t always made time for it. I had reasoned that it’s not even one of the subjects tested for college entrance, how important could it be. I’ve had hints of it’s value, hearing lingering quotes like Edmund Burke’s,
“Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it.”
My older children and I have had more of an interest in the history of America, over the last few years, as they’ve reached voting age. We’ve dug into books about our founders and Constitutional law, or watched documentaries based on specific periods of time, looking for truth or the answer to a question. We’ve enjoyed sharing what we’ve learned, insights, and conversations.
Until recently, it didn’t occur to me that this is actually how some people teach and learn history. What a wonder! My younger children’s historical education will be vastly different than their older siblings, because Truth Quest History found its way to our home.
But that’s not even the most significant wonder about the TruthQuest History guides. The author, Michelle Miller, completely changed my outlook of history. Yes, as a Christian believer, maybe I should have seen it all along, but she made it clear to me, and now I can make it clear to my children. Learning our history, as mankind, should not just be man’s interaction with man, but man interacting with God. It is HIStory, because He is involved, and without Him there would be no history, because there would be nothing.
There are Christian based, chronological, World History guides available, written for grades 5 – 12, from Creation and The Ancients to the Present (2000.) American History only, is available for the 1st through 5th grades. I started with Age of Revolution: America/Europe, 1600-1800 and what I thought would be more than 300 daunting pages of history.
The author speaks to you, she doesn’t lecture on the topic she’s presenting. She’s conversational and witty. She comments on the story, and sets the stage for the time, people, events, and culture. Always connecting, and reconnecting the historical responses or reactions, the consequences or blessings, in light of one’s belief about God – whether true or untrue. TruthQuest History was written to teach “spiritual cause-and-effect lessons of history which teach Godly wisdom.”
Within the first chapter, I was struck by the truth of this paragraph:
“Don’t ever think spiritual matters are insignificant and only personal or you’ll miss the very hand of God in history! You’ll be blind to the deep beliefs which drive human action and you’ll think history is merely a boring record of famous people, deeds, and dates… History is really about what God is doing in the earth and that’s the most compelling story of all! History is about His truth, which is so powerful that it changes government, law, science, art, economics, literature, and the quality of life for people and their descendants…”
History is important! Throughout time we have all generally asked two questions – Who is God? and Who, then, is mankind? Michelle Miller points to these two questions, that she calls the Big 2 Beliefs, throughout history. Our answers to these questions influence our thoughts and actions, yesterday, today, and I expect, forever.
TruthQuest History is so much more than a curriculum with lists of living books. It does give us structure, but it also bends to that sweet flexibility that I crave. I’m reminded that the abundant resources listed are options for my discretion, not obligations. There is no set schedule of completion. We have the freedom to follow an interest, a particular person or event, much like we’ve done with unit studies, in the past.
A printed guide is $29.95 and each guide is now available in PDF format, for $24.95.
Contact -
TruthQuest History
P.O. Box 2128
Traverse City, MI 49685-2128
and
Online Discussion Loop
HistoryQuestors-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
May crew mates have had the opportunity to review many of the guides and you’ll find their reviews by clicking the graphic below.
Blessings,
Penny
Disclaimer* A copy of this product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Perfectly Designed
Posted by: | CommentsOne of our favorite places to visit, as a family, is the zoo. Any zoo! We’ve gone to the zoo in other cities, as part of a vacation. We’ve visited the zoo at the end of a particular study, as a wrap-up, field trip. We’ve purchased a year-long, family membership, numerous times over the years, as a birthday present. In anticipation, we have several go-to animal guides, and animal stories that we read, and reference, before we head to the zoo. Recently, we added a brand new story!
Amazing Animals by Design is written by one of my TOS Crew mates, Debra Haagen, and has been published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises. It is the story of a family visiting a zoo. Often, no matter how many times we’ve been there, if it is estimated that it takes 3 hours to walk through a particular zoo, it will take our family five or six or even seven hours, because we talk and teach, soaking up God’s wonderful creation and design. In just 24 pages, that’s what Amazing Animals by Design does, too.
John and Sarah, the main characters of the story, go to the zoo with their parents. They see elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, a caracal, ostriches, and Barbary sheep. Every question they have is answered from the point of creation and intelligent design! This is a wonderful introduction for young children to the idea that we are all perfectly designed by God, to fulfill His purposes.
Amazing Animals by Design can be purchased as a bound book, for $8.99, or as an instant digital download, for $7.99. You can click and follow [John] to the bookstore, for purchasing information.
Click and follow [Sarah], and she’ll take you to Amazing Animals by Design on facebook. This is a great place to get to interact with the author!
Also, other TOS Homeschool Review Crew Members had the opportunity to read Amazing Animals by Design, and you can read their reviews by clicking the graphic below.
It’s a rainy day here, today. We won’t be visiting the zoo, but as soon as I sign off my daughter has asked that we read Amazing Animals by Design…again. So, that’s just what we’ll do, soaking in the wonder of God’s creation, and reinforcing how perfectly designed everything is, especially her!
Blessings,
Disclaimer* A digital copy of this product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you ~
Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Academic Success
Posted by: | CommentsI think we all want our children to achieve academic success. If we did poorly in school, we want our children to do better than we did, and if we did well, we still want better for their future.
Teaching phonemic awareness, building reading fluency, and strengthening comprehension starts a child on the road to academic success. The Reading for All Learners Program, featuring the Little Books, has more than 30 years of research behind it.
Click the graphic to view Product Previews
The company, Academic Success for All Learners, tags the books as – “Little Books making a big difference!” They have been used around the world for generations. You may have learned to read using these books. Many people actually recognize the readers as “I See Sam books.” I See Sam is the title of the first book, in the first skill set. There are 141 Little Books, in 8 color coded sets. The reading instruction correlates to core curriculum.
It is recommended that the books be read consecutively, in numerical order, because new sounds and words that are introduced build on the sounds, words, and skills previously mastered. Primarily written for Kindergarten through grade 3 or 4, they can also be used for struggling readers. A single lesson takes only 15 – 30 minutes, with no prior teaching experience needed.
The Reading for All Learners program is highly esteemed. If it were used consistently, as intended, I believe much of the illiteracy found in America, today, would be eradicated. The stories are enjoyable and interesting, and students want to read them.
Click the graphic to view Little Books Set 7
The www.iseesam.com website is easy to navigate. It’s also full of information and support:
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Instructor Guide - making it possible for practically anyone to teach
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Scope and Sequence – listing what is covered when
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Flash Cards – words to learn, for each book
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Progress Tracking - a chart for every set of books
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Placement Assessment – testing, to help you determine where to begin
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Little Book Anatomy – points out and explains the special features of a Little Book
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And More…
Click the graphic to view Read to Succeed Gift Sets
After my son completed a Placement Assessment, I was directed to start him in the Little Books set 7. The routine is the same for each book. He should learn and review the sounds and words. Master the Sound Practice and Word Practice before reading the book. Then, read the story twice, making two mistakes or less by the second reading. The Learner’s Chart is provided for each set of Little Books. The student may color a picture or place a sticker over it, to track each book, in the set, that has been read successfully. Color matched certificates are available to celebrate the completion of a set!
Looking Back is a section designed to test retention and mastery. It usually occurs after every 5 or 6 books. Passing/Failing criteria is listed at the bottom of the reading page. If the student doesn’t pass, they are encouraged to reread the previous several books to hone their skills. If a Looking Back assessment is passed, the student moves on to the next book.
The constant, steady rhythm of this program works well for my son. So well, in fact, that I plan to have my daughter do the assessment, so I can gauge the best placement for her. It’s $30 for each set of books, but I can reuse any set, with any of my children, increasing the value of my investment. We’ll see whether or not this particular structure is good for her, too.
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My crew mates used different sets of Little Books, and you can find their reviews by clicking the TOS graphic below.
Comments or Questions?
Email ~
read@iseesam.com
Call ~
435.755.7885
or Write ~
Academic Success For All Learners
131 North 1175 West #5
Logan, Utah 84321
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Direction and Encouragement:
View ~
Read ~
Dr. Alan Hofmeister’s blog posts
@ Effective Instruction for All
and Follow on ~
In my opinion, everyone should have the opportunity to learn to read, and to read well, if they choose.
Blessings,
A trial period of this product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you for your comments!
*Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Maintaining Biblical Standards
Posted by: | CommentsI don’t read every book that my older children read, now. When they were younger I did. Still, I am mindful of what they’re reading, what music they’re listening to, what movies they’re watching, and who their friends are. I know their friends by name. I trust my children, at this age, to make wise choices, following the standards we’ve set, in their reading material, music, viewing habits, and relationships. They also keep themselves accountable. I can pick up the current book they’re reading, borrow their MP3 player at any time, go to the movies with them, or sit in on one of their gatherings.
There are organizations, and companies that assist me, as a parent, in maintaining the Biblical standards that my husband and I set for our family. They’ve put the time and effort into watching, listening, or reading, and reviewing for me. Many of these are run by other parents, with similar standards, like Progeny Press.
Progeny Press was started in 1992, and is still family owned and operated. They present good literature, teaching good literary analysis, measuring all things in the light of Scripture. There are now more than 100 Study Guides available to instruct writers and readers in grades K – 12.
Study Guides can be found for Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, and High School.
They can be purchased Book-bound, PDF on CD, or email with attached PDF file. The content is the same, no matter the form of delivery.
From $10.99 single guide to $27.99 book/CD set.
I have students using the Middle School Study Guide for The Cay, by Theodore Taylor -
“Eleven-year-old Phillip lives with his parents on an island off the coast of Venezuela in 1942, but when the Nazi’s begin torpedoing ships nearby, Phillip’s mother insists that he and she return to the United States. Their ship is torpedoed by a Nazi submarine long before they reach the U.S., however, and Phillip finds himself marooned on an island with an old, but strong, black deckhand named Timothy. But when Phillip goes blind from an injury, he slowly realizes how caring, wise, and resourceful Timothy really is, and the color of their skins is unimportant.”
AND other students using the High School Study Guide for The Screwtape Letters, by C. S. Lewis -
“Screwtape, an undersecretary in the Lowerarchy of Hell, has undertaken the guidance and tutelage of his nephew Wormwood, who has been assigned a human patient to secure for eternity. In a series of letters, Screwtape guides the young demon through the finer points of temptation, the weaknesses and foibles of human beings, and the disaster of his patient becoming a Christian. Though this certainly complicates things, the two infernal beings won’t let it stop them.
From this very skewed perspective, C. S. Lewis digs into the human nature, revealing some interesting, and sometimes embarrassing, tendencies. Touching on everything from sleeplessness to the “absurdity” of God’s love for humanity, Screwtape imparts his wicked wisdom to Wormwood. Though the mirror he holds up to humanity is warped and cracked, it is still painfully revealing. Wit and parody mask a very serious analysis of what makes humans tick; and though it may make readers smile, it will also make us squirm as Screwtape picks at the cracks in our facades.”
With each Study Guide, students need access to a good dictionary, a thesaurus, a Bible, and the internet or an encyclopedia.
It is suggested that the complete novel be read first. We didn’t know how we felt about this, as opposed to reading the book and the guide together from the beginning, but it actually makes the use of the Study Guide a little easier. I imagine the creators of the guides already knew this. After reading the story, the student works through the guide with the book as a constant reference.
Prereading activities are offered -
- Written report
- Map work
- Time line
- Vocabulary
- Art work
- Biography
Each Study Guide covers relative information -
- Story Synopsis
- About the Author
- Background/Setting
Did I mention that Progeny Press Study Guides for Literature are interactive for 4th – 12th grade? They can still be printed, if you like, but the student has the capability of placing answers directly on the PC and saving his work as he progresses. The parent/teacher is able to grade the work in the same manner, on the PC, and leave notes or comments. My children love it! Especially, my son, who would rather do nearly anything instead of writing. The Study Guides are designed so he can clearly work through the questions and vocabulary, give his attention to critical analysis, dig deeper and consider the issues portrayed in the story, while viewing each through a consistent Biblical standard. In his case, he can give complete answers, because his biggest obstacle is removed – he’s released from hand-writing and has the option to type. Amazing!
Optional activities include -
- Presentations
- Volunteer work
- Essays
- Research
- Interviews
- Brief report
- Word search
Final essays are provided and post reading activities are discretionary. High School credits are obtained 1/4 credit per Study Guide in 8 – 12 weeks.
(4) Completed Study Guides = (1) H.S. Credit
Click the graphic below to browse the Progeny Press Catalog.
If you would like more information, please, follow the links I’ve provided throughout this post. Progeny Press has a website that’s easy to navigate.
Also, read other reviews, from The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Review Crew members.
Comments or Questions? Go directly to the source -
Progeny Press
P. O. Box 100
Fall Creek, WI 54742
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Toll Free 1.877.776.4369
or
Phone 715.877.9951 ext. 100
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Email - progeny@progenypress.com
and
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I have no doubt these will be the first of many Progeny Press Study Guides for Literature we’ll use. Let me know which guide you choose, and what you think of it.
Blessings,
A trial period of this product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks for your comments.
*Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
The Art of Argument
Posted by: | CommentsI consider myself to be a logical person, but I have had no formal training in Logic. I usually hold my own in a debate, if I am knowledgeable or passionate about a subject. I’m comfortable making a sensible statement from my point of view. Until recently, I didn’t realize that the art of reasonable argument can be taught. I didn’t know that curriculum is available for teaching Logic, and that “mastery of logic is a requisite skill for mastering other subjects.”
The Art of Argument, is one of the exceptional studies offered by Classical Academic Press. It teaches the ability to reason and to recognize poor reasoning.
It covers 28 fallacies of relevance, presumption and clarity, over 28 chapters. This is an introduction to the informal fallacies. It was designed with Junior High students in mind, but my older children, who have had no previous teaching in logic, are learning the definitions and fallacies that are presented, as well. The more they practice them, the quicker they are able to recognize them.
The publisher states that “fallacies are present on the political left and right (and in the middle) and in the arguments of people of all kinds of political, religious, and cultural viewpoints. No one ‘school of thought’ is fallacy-free!” We and our children are bombarded with political jargon, especially in this election year, advertisements and commercials, editorials, etc. Having the skills to wade through the swamp of errant information and clearly identify the flawed arguments is critical to finding the truth.
We have not completed this course, but we already utilize what we have learned. We have more awareness of the need to filter and evaluate what we hear, plus we’re learning to use the tools of detection and analysis that we’ve been given. Yes, I said we. I am learning to be even more logically reasonable in my arguments discussions. Jokingly, my husband is not amused, as he already believed my talents have been wasted and I should have become a lawyer. I reason that I’d do well to take advantage of learning logic now, making sure my children don’t get ahead of me!
Classical Academic Press offers classical curricula and media in Latin, Spanish, Greek, French, Logic, Bible and Poetry. They back their products with a 30-day money back guarantee.
The Art of Argument student book is a workbook – text and discussion, questions and essays. It is $21.95.
The Teacher’s Edition, includes the complete student text, answer keys, quizzes and tests, for $24.95.
A set of 5 DVD’s, teaching videos to complement The Art of Argument, is available for $54.95.
Although, I have not been familiar with the teaching of Logic, I see the value of it, and we will pursue it. I found it somewhat difficult to teach, probably because of my lack of familiarity, and the children thought it was dry. We tend to follow a living school or school-of-life system of learning, and The Art of Argument doesn’t seem easily adaptable. If it is something you are interested in, I suggest you examine the CAP curriculum. Their focus is “clear design and structure, incremental and systematic instruction, all with a touch of delight, creativity and flair.”
For your convenience, I’ve provided links throughout this post that you can follow for more information. You’ll also find my crew mates reviews by clicking on the TOS graphic, below.
Comments or Questions?
Classical Academic Press
3920 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
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Toll Free: 866-730-0711
Phone: 717-730-0711
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and follow on facebook
Euripides is credited with saying, “reason can wrestle and overthrow terror.” Maybe he knew The Old Testament Scripture, Isaiah 41:10, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Seems logical to me.
Blessings,
A trial period of this product was given to me, free of charge, in exchange, for my honest review, as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
*Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
