Archive for Writing
Remarkable – writing with WORLD
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s simple enough, really. If it had never been written, it could never be read. So much would have been lost, from then to now, if it had not been written. If the truth is not written, today, we may not have it tomorrow. Writing well is much more than using correct grammar and vocabulary, and it is one of the greatest challenges a student will face. It allows us to clearly express our thoughts, ideas, and beliefs. “Christians in particular should try to be the best communicators. They possess The Truth and need to articulate a Biblical worldview.” It is our job, as parents and educators, to teach our children how to write.
The publishers of God’s World News and WORLD magazine, together with education and media professionals, have developed an exciting *new writing curriculum. Write with WORLD is a two year writing curriculum geared for middle school. It adapts easily for grades 6 – 10.
Click graphic to view Sample Lesson
Year ONE and year TWO each consist of a non-consumable Student Text, a Teacher’s Edition – including the full student text, and an annual web site access pass. The curriculum is completed, and the books are ready for shipment this summer, 2012. The final dynamics of the web site are being polished, giving students access to the education and encouragement of journalists, photojournalists, essayists, editors, authors, and professors.
“Write with WORLD concentrates on developing young writers who can think and express their thoughts through writing. Students using Write with WORLD are connected to other writers – WORLD journalists, writer’s from God’s World News, celebrated writing professors, and student authors. Students will benefit from these writer’s advice. They will respond to timely and thoughtful assignments that encourage them to discuss ideas and language with teachers. The potential for publication will energize students, giving them purpose and audience.”
Each unit is broken down into smaller lessons. Stimulating assignments, many relevant to today, are given. Small steps and achievements are acknowledged, built upon, corrected and improved along the way. This is not a – here’s the writing prompt – write your paper – have it corrected for errors - get a grade, good or bad – learn the next set of writing rules – here’s the next writing prompt – curriculum. Many of the developers of Write with WORLD have sat through similar, boring classes; so, they recognized the pitfalls to avoid. Grammar, vocabulary, structure, essays, narratives and compositions are included, but it never seems forced on the student. The students develop critical reading skills, learning to detect worldview clues in writing, and learning to write from the point of their own worldview. This curriculum is more conversational and feels almost interactive. My own reluctant writer’s were encouraged by their steady, easy progression. As the parent/educator, I think it is a remarkable approach and I’m excited to see how it will impact my children!
~
Write with WORLD, Full Curriculum, Year ONE or Year TWO can be purchased for $95 each.
or
Purchase both, Year ONE and Year TWO, Full Curriculum for $165.
Click graphic for more information to order.
~
Comments or Questions?
Write -
God’s World News
P.O. Box 20001
Asheville, NC 28802-8201
Email – mailbag@gwnews.com
or
Phone – 1.800.951.5437
~
You’ll find additional reviews, other opinions, and different perspectives when you follow the link included with the TOS graphic, below, and read what my crew mates have to say.
How well can you articulate your worldview?
Blessings,
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.
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.
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
~
Toll Free 1.877.776.4369
or
Phone 715.877.9951 ext. 100
~
Email - progeny@progenypress.com
and
Follow on facebook
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
~
Toll Free: 866-730-0711
Phone: 717-730-0711
~
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.
Much To Do About Spelling
Posted by: | CommentsI think I’ve told you, a couple of times, how much I love to read. I’ve shared with you my love of language, wanting to learn Spanish and Latin. I’ve always enjoyed writing, even diagramming sentences. I like the rhythm of words. The cadence of their syllables. I think spelling bees are wonderful!
Some of my children share my love of reading. Some of them write and develop story lines, fleshing out characters. They’ll watch The National Spelling Bee with me, amazed at the difficulty of some of the words given, but none of them actually enjoy spelling. I think it’s because they lack confidence in their ability to spell words correctly. They recognize a word when reading it, but cannot always spell it when using it in their writing. They know the meaning of a word, and can use it properly in a sentence, but inevitably will forget how to spell it. I’ll admit, this is no small frustration for me. We own more than one dictionary and have utilized spell check on the PC, even when something is being written by hand. Grumblings can sometimes be heard when one is sent to heft the cumbersome, intimidating dictionary off the shelf, to “find the word yourself,” and the computer is not always accessible; so, they often ask me how to spell a word. Even then, the usual response is, “spell the word, the way you think it is spelled, and then ask me if it’s correct.”
We’ve done vocabulary lists and spelling words for the week. Using rote and repetition. And, it’s a good thing I like words as much as I do, because we’ve been playing word games, like Scrabble and Boggle, for 30 years! Educational fun and reinforcement, you know. Yet, spellings escape them.
Last year, as a TOS Homeschool Review Crew Member, I reviewed what-is-now my favorite Reading Tool. See-N-Read was my introduction to CadenaSmith Enterprises, and it is “a truly effective intervention for reading.” This year, See-N-Spell arrived at my house, with much anticipation! It is a 40 page Spelling and Vocabulary Quick Reference Guide.
In alphabetical order, you’ll find more than 300 most commonly used vocabulary words and commonly misspelled words. Basically, if you know the first letter or couple of letters in a word, you can find it here, correctly spelled. Homophones (here – hear, there – their) are listed too (to – two), with a brief definition, so it’s easy to choose the correct one. Although, it is printed on heavy duty, semi-gloss paper, for repeated use, it is not a heavy, 2 inch thick, hard bound book. It’s an unassuming, easy-to-use booklet, that prompts my children to use it regularly. Dr. Sylvia Smith, the author, thought to include a section where you can write your own special interest words, words you might use fairly often, but waffle on when it comes time to spell. Guaranteed, or is it gauranteed? Sometimes, after we study it for several seconds it becomes even more muddled. Easier just to look it up in the See-N-Spell and move on in your creative or constructive writing.
“Writers typically possess a larger everyday spoken (social) language vocabulary than written academic language vocabulary.” The See-N-Spell – Spelling and Vocabulary Quick Reference Guide facilitates getting that larger vocabulary transferred easily to the written page. “The need for correct spelling and adequate vocabulary is not limited to English Literature and Composition courses…they are essential components of success in Social Studies, Science, and Math, as well as in the world of business.”
It’s our new go-to spelling guide! At $9.99 I think it’s a worthwhile investment, plus, I nearly forgot to tell you, you receive my favorite, document sized See-N-Read Reading Tool FREE, with each See-N-Spell booklet you order! Please, follow the links I’ve included in this post and visit their website for more information.
Comments or Questions?
phone ~ 630.236.5592
email ~ info@see-n-read.com
or write ~
CadenaSmith Enterprises
2533 Sutton Lane
Aurora, IL 60502-9461
As always, my wonderful Crew mates have written their own reviews of this product. If you click on the graphic below you’ll find them on The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew Blog.
Blessings,
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.
Good Education
Posted by: | CommentsI want to give my children the opportunity of a good education. After feeding them and clothing them, sometimes, the cost is greater than my budget.
This isn’t the case with KinderBach.
“KinderBach provides a solid music foundation for the children while, at the same time, overlapping and enhancing basic math and language skills.” Designed for beginners, ages 3-7. It is good education.
Karri Gregor is the fun, energetic author, illustrator and educator of KinderBach. She uses memorable piano pals, Frisco, Dodi, and friends, to teach note reading, rhythm, singing, composition, and more, reinforcing the value of each lesson with coloring pages, worksheets, and games.
Piano for young children. The lessons are child-friendly, quick and easy! More than 240, 10 minute lessons, achieving 6 levels. DVD/CD packages starting at $40.45 +s/h or an instantly accessible online subscription for $95.88 per year. That makes it good education within budget! That’s just $7.99 per month or less than 30 cents a day for a music tutor, no scheduling conflicts and no gas money. I didn’t even factor in the 30% off you can get, until February 2013, when you use coupon code TOScrew2012.
I first discovered KinderBach last year, and since then there have been some exciting changes. You can still use the program on your computer, even streaming to your TV, but now, you can also use it with iPad, Android Tablet, Nook, or Kindle Fire!
They still have their 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, plus all DVD’s & CD’s have a lifetime replacement if damaged for any reason. There’s really no risk because KinderBach also offers a two week free trial, before you pay for anything.
Take a few minutes to follow the links I’ve posted here, to the KinderBach website. It’s simple to navigate and full of great information!
Still have Comments or Questions?
Email – info@KinderBach.com
Phone – 563.332.0587
Write -
KinderBach LLC
P.O. Box 181
LeClaire, IA 52773
or
You can also choose from nearly a hundred other reviews, viewpoints, written by my crew mates, when you click the graphic below.
I think learning is simply fun and affordable with KinderBach at Home.
Blessings,
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.
It’s a Wrap!
Posted by: | CommentsAt our house, a school day might begin something like this…
A Younger Child: “Hey, Momma, did you know that all of the Anderson’s have the flu?”
ME: “I didn’t. When you talk to Katie, find out if they need anything.”
Younger Child: “Okay.”
An Older Sibling: “Did you know that our great-great-grandmother died from the flu? Nana was born in 1912, so she was only six when her mom and her little brother died in 1918.”
ME: “The worst plague in America was the Influenza Epidemic of 1918. More people died from the flu in that year than died in all of World War I.”
Younger Child: “She was younger than me.”
ME: “She was. Then, her dad died when she was just 12. She was your sister’s ages living through The Great Depression.”
Older Child: “1929-1939 or 41, or something?”
Younger Child: “What’s The Depression?”
ME: “I’ll tell you what, after breakfast, I’ll show you some pictures of kids during The Great Depression. I’ve got a book, someplace. I’ll find it. It’s called Children of the Great Depression. Just the photographs will give you a good idea of what The Great Depression was, but we’ll talk about it, too.”
At this point, my brain is charging ahead with plans for today and tomorrow, and beyond.
THINKING: “I’ll make breakfast a little hardier than I initially planned, so I can just give them bread & water for lunch. Seriously, hunger was real during The Depression. Maybe we’ll follow a bare-bones-potato-soup recipe for dinner and eat by the light of an oil lamp.”
I know my older ones read The Great Depression, America 1929-1941, by Robert S. McElvaine, but the mids haven’t, yet.
THINKING: “I’ll pull that out and we can read excerpts from it, to everyone, but they can work on reading the whole thing, themselves, over the next week. They’ll definitely need to start a vocabulary/spelling list. I have some Penmanship/Copywork pages I can add for the younger ones and an essay assignment for the oldest.”
DANCING INSIDE MY HEAD: I can download an instant e-Book from Zeezok Publishing! One of their Z-Guides to the Movies for the Depression era. I’m pretty sure they have one for Kit Kittredge, and since we already own the movie we could actually work on it this week. They love that movie, but with the Z-Guide they’ll see it in a whole new light.”
Books, movies, the internet. The library, Netflix, museums. I use them all. Anything and everything that I can get my hands on and afford, that will stimulate my children’s desire to learn and successfully educate them.
Zeezok Publishing has been providing materials for the homeschooling community since 1993. They’ve published government and history texts, and sixteen classic biographies on the great composers. In 2010 they introduced us to Z-Guides to the Movies.
Each Z-Guide is developed for a specific movie. We’ve found many of the movies at our local library; most are available for rent on Netflix, Zeezok sells a few and some you may already own. There are more than 30 Z-Guides available, now, and another 25 are due to be released in the spring.
$12.99 gives you access to an instant e-Book download, of your choice, or you can have a CD shipped. Many topics and time-periods are covered -
16th, 17th, 18th & 19th Century Europe
American and French Revolution
The Roaring Twenties and The Great Depression
World Wars 1 & 2 and Post-WW2
and the Vietnam War
You’ll get a topic, time-period overview; a movie synopsis, giving you an understanding of the relationship between characters, events and situations. A list of review questions to be discussed and answered as the movie is being watched, and additional activities prompting research and writing. My favorite section of every Z-Guide is the Filmaker’s Art and Dramatic License Activity. I do not have the ready knowledge that I find in this section. Even as my children are learning, so am I.
“The Filmmaker’s Art activity helps the student recognize the tools being used to influence the viewer.” Without the Z-Guide, I don’t always discern these as clearly. “The various guides discuss how filming techniques, music, lighting, humor, character development, irony, foreshadowing, and even character names are used by the director and producer to influence the viewer to get their agenda across.” Z-Guides to the Movies has changed the way we see a movie and that’s their goal. They “want the student to be able to discern not only the agenda of the movie, but also how they are being influenced by it. The goal is that when the student goes to the theatre and watches a movie, he walks out not thinking it was an entertaining movie, but understanding the bigger message behind each film.”
My children are enhancing their critical thinking skills. Besides movies, they now look at reading material differently, and also examine the influence and impact they may have on others with what they personally write or visually and musically produce.
I think Z-Guides are impressively thorough. In 2011, I used one with The Hiding Place. Click the link to read my review.
Recently, we did, indeed, use the Z-Guide for Kit Kittredge. Written for elementary and middle school, it was easily adaptable to include our K5 through high school and adult.
Topics and Activities covered ~
The Great Depression
Journalism
Prejudice
Family Unity
and Hobo Life
It was a perfect wrap to an interesting study!
The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Review Crew has had the opportunity to review several different Z-Guides. Click on the banner below to read what my crew mates thought of each one.
Comments or Questions?
Contact Zeezok Publishing
email -
info@zeezok.com
write -
P.O. Box 1960
Elyria, OH 44036
call -
800.749.1681
or
440.782.1193
and
The next time you study, tie everything together with a Z-Guide and a family movie night!
Blessings,
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.
I am not affiliated with Netflix and I receive no compensation for references.
*Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
I appreciate your encouragement. Thanks for your comments. PK
FREE College
Posted by: | CommentsI am not blind. I actually have good eye sight, but sometimes I feel like I’m stumbling around in the dark. This is especially true when trying to help my teens prepare for college.
Just as I imagine Braille changes the life of a person without sight, College Prep Genius has the potential to change the life of the college-bound student. They both offer hope, through real applications and solutions.
Did you know that test prep should start in a student’s freshman year? The PSAT/NMSQT can be taken even earlier and good scores can have a tremendous affect on college acceptance and tuition. Consistent study and familiarizing practice time takes the paralyzing fear of the unknown out of the test taking. If you have expectations for college, start your research now.
“Going to college today can be extremely expensive and a student can incur long-lasting debt that can follow him or her for many years. The truth is, 50% of college is paid for by loans, 40% by grants and about 10% actually comes from scholarships. The good news is that college can be within the reach for just about everyone. There are many ways students can receive scholarships as well as FREE college!”
College Prep Genius is designed to increase standardized test scores, aiming to secure scholarships and assistance to pay for college. Master the SAT Class DVD is a 10 hour course, taught in 45 minute segments, over 12 lessons. ($59.95) Everything in the DVD is also thoroughly covered in the textbook. ($49.95) And, there is a companion workbook. ($19.95)
The lessons walk the student through each section of the SAT:
Critical Reading - learn to cut your time in half.
Math – learn to recognize patterns and eliminate questions from the start.
Writing – learn to write an exemplary essay in 15 minutes.
Plus ~
350 tips, shortcuts and strategies
Math terms
Latin roots, prefixes; suffixes
and
More than 30 scholarship websites
College Prep Genius teaches techniques and even tricks, to get correct answers quicker, that can raise your SAT score as much as 600 points.
This is a student-friendly course, each lesson can be paced to the student; viewed repetitively or not. The author, Jean Burk, is an outstanding instructor. Her enthusiasm for SAT Prep Success is irresistible! Being properly equipped for any task builds confidence. It is logical that confidence in your test preparation would help you excel in the actual test. We don’t have our results, yet, but we believe they’ll reflect the exceptional benefits of taking this course.
Comments or Questions?
write -
College Prep Genius
P.O. Box 398
Hurst, TX 76053
phone -
817.282.7737
email -
info@collegeprepgenius.com
Normally $129.85 total, the College Prep Genius DVD Set is on sale now, at 25% off = $99.00. Ultimately, it’s risk free because of the 100% Money Back Guarantee. I highly recommend it for every junior high and high school student. It is easy to follow and there’s enough information, in the first lessons alone, to dispel any darkness. I wish it had been available ten years ago, for my first teens.
The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Review Crew reviewed College Prep Genius and their Vocabcafe Series, which you can find by following the links provided throughout this post.
Blessings,
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.
Striving for Excellence in Literature
Posted by: | CommentsJust a little more than a week ago, I wrote a blog post, a review, and in it I said, “I don’t believe that I have all of the answers to my children’s educational needs, or that I’m even required to, but I can find the answers.” You thought that I said this, thought it, or wrote it for YOU, didn’t you? Well, I did; I want you to find encouragement here, but…you would not believe how many times in the course of one school year that I have to remind myself of this! I still have much to learn.
I’ve told you in other posts, that I love reading, English, spelling and writing! I even thought that I had a decent foundation in these areas. Oh, woe am I, I recently sent myself back to school, with my students. Our teacher? Mrs. Janice Campbell, author of Excellence in Literature: Reading and Writing Through the Classics, by Everyday Education.
We began at the beginning, with EIL:: English 1: Introduction to Literature. The first of 5 college preparatory levels:
- Introduction to Literature
- Literature and Composition
- American Literature
- British Literature
- World Literature
(Note: American and British Literature are co-published with the Institute for Excellence in Writing.)
Introduction to Literature is written for grades 8 – 12 and has options for honors credit. I find the reading and writing both stimulating and challenging, and we have not even properly used the honors options!
Click graphic to follow unit sample link.
The text is written to the student and is designed to be self-directed. There are 9 units per level, optimally completed within 4 weeks each. Each unit focuses on a specific piece of writing, or group of writings – novels, drama & poetry. These are the focus texts. Additionally, a study of the author is done, including research on the historical time period the author is writing from and the art, music and influences of the day. These context texts provide an in-depth understanding of the literature, making the analysis easier and more informed. The student is encouraged to read the honors texts as well, if they desire to take AP and/or CLEP exams. Finally, a composition, in answer to a specific essay question, must be planned, drafted, revised, polished and presented for evaluation.
Initially, as I read through the course syllabus, I was overwhelmed. Even though the author says, “reading is a conversation between a reader and an author,” and she successfully writes this way, I have neither taken a course, nor taught a course, with requirements such as these. That’s why I decided we would do the first units together. Reading aloud, researching together, pooling our thoughts and openly discussing the essay questions. We have not written anything, yet, or used the Evaluation Rubric that’s provided, but we are learning.
My high school students are already past eighth grade and they don’t have 5 years left to complete this exceptional literature course; so, we’re being flexible and that actually has Janice Campbell’s blessing. Yes, each level ideally builds on the previous one, but it is also designed to mix and match, across levels as needed, to allow for – the coordination of literature levels with history studies, time constraints, etc. My thought is that it is better for a student to complete only two levels in three years, while becoming comprehensively literate and discovering a treasure of great stories, plays and poems, than to strictly follow the lesson plan but never quite “get it.” Mrs. Campbell acknowledges that each family and student is unique. She does have a goal for Excellence in Literature.
Her goal is to:
- Introduce students to great literature from the western literacy tradition.
- Teach students to read with discernment.
- Train independent, self-motivated learners.
- Provide tools that students can use to strengthen their writing skills.
- Introduce students to sources for high-quality online and offline research.
- Prepare students for college classes by expecting carefully-researched, well-thought-out material to be presented in standard format, with preliminary proofreading completed.
But even as we are striving to reach these goals, she gives us permission to suit the curriculum to our needs. (“Thank you, Janice Campbell, I appreciate that freedom more than you may know.”) I’m more comfortable with the set-up every day, including my adjustments. I’ve completely cut out a couple of focus texts and substituted a couple of honors texts in place of the assigned texts. I chose T.S. Eliot’s, Murder in the Cathedral (honor), over Pygmalion, by George Bernard Shaw (focus) and The Pilgrim’s Progress (honor), by John Bunyan, over Gulliver’s Travels (focus), by Jonathan Swift. The Pilgrim’s Progress is our first essay. I have big plans to quickly glean as much as possible of English 1, steadily move through English 2 and maybe scratch the surface of English 3, before the next graduation.
I love this curriculum and I’m looking forward to actually following the prescribed lesson plan with my younger children!
Excellence in Literature is available in print or e-book. I like this particular product in e-book format. I had instant access and copyright permission to print as many copies as needed for my immediate family.
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1 year/level – $29.
All 5 levels, now available, at one time – $139.
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You can contact Janice Campbell several ways, the woman is everywhere! =)
email is best ~ jceved@comcast.net
or
write ~
Janice Campbell
Everyday Education,LLC
P.O. Box 549
Ashland, VA 23005 USA
subscribe to her blogs ~
“Taking Time For Things That Matter“
and
“Do What Matters, Make It Pay“
or
click logo to follow on facebook.
Read other reviews of Excellence in Literature: English 1: Introduction to Literature, on The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew Blog.
Blessings,
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.
A Hope of Publication
Posted by: | CommentsIn our home it wouldn’t be difficult to find a writer or composer, a photographer or three, or a designer, an engineer, an architect or a young inventor. I could show you stories and poetry, music and lyrics, photographs, sketches, drawings and paintings, structures and gadgets built out of Legos, or Lincoln Logs, tin cans and wooden pallets. Presently, there are few copy righted, less recorded and none published. It’s difficult enough for adults to break into their field, but often it is even harder for a teenager to find a respectable outlet for their work.
We’ve made a recent discovery, though, and it’s one that gives us hope. Aletheia Writing Magazine is a Christian magazine for teens, by youth, ages 13-19 years old. Pronounced Ah-Lay-thei-uh, it is the Greek word for “truth” or “unveiling.”
Click graphic to read FAQs
A one year subscription, published quarterly, costs just $26 when delivered to an address in the United States. That’s four issues, 40 color pages, including shipping and handling. My children found it interesting that many of the writers and artists, contributing to the magazine, have been homeschooled. They were also pleased that they did not find this publication full of cookie-cutter stories and articles. Yes, faith and hope are evident throughout, and the publishers state that they “will not accept work that contains profanity, tasteless violence, or inappropriate sexual content,” but you can see the individual author in his writing or art.
You’ll find – stories, poetry, articles, reviews, photographs and contests. Every issue features: a Writer’s Challenge, the Featured Contributor, a book review, Glory to God for the beauty of nature, Ancient Ink, and an interview. Aletheia Writing Magazine has made their entire Spring 2011 issue available for you to preview, for free. It is full of energy, creativity and a bold freedom of expression.
Content page from the current issue – Fall 2011
Comments or Questions?
writealetheia@gmail.com
or
Aletheia Writing Magazine
P.O. Box 1602
Lansdale, PA 19446
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You can also read other reviews of Aletheia on The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew Blog.
Although, we hope that a submission will be accepted for publication in Aletheia Writing Magazine, the opinions expressed in this review are my own, and were not coerced in any way.
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.
Blessings,
*Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Wordy Qwerty
Posted by: | CommentsHave you ever noticed how young children love to rhyme words and names? Inevitably, at some point in their young life, one of my children runs up to me to tell me something similar to – “she called me a lazy-daisy” or “he said I’m such a twirly-girly.” Outside, during a game of tag, I’ll often hear, “na-na, boo-boo, you can’t catch me.”
Dance Coach – Nancy, easily becomes Dancy Nancy
Soccer Coach – Ricky = Kicky Ricky
Voice Coach – Sylvester, is surely Talky Rocky
Word Coach – Qwerty, is none other than Wordy Qwerty
My kids have been working with a word coach, “to build reading and writing fluency” and he actually goes by the name, Wordy Qwerty. He gets his name from the top, left-hand row of letters on a keyboard – Q.W.E.R.T.Y. (I’ve noticed that many electronic toddler toys now come with a QWERTY keyboard, as opposed to a keyboard in ABC order. I think it makes the transition to typing/keyboarding much easier.) Wordy Qwerty utilizes a writing to read approach of teaching.
Click logo for website
Qwerty and his musician-friend, Midi, are the creation of Jeannine Herron and the star characters of her Talking Fingers – Wordy Qwerty program.
Click for demo
Wordy Qwerty is a follow-up to Talking Fingers – Read, Write & Type system, but it easily stands on it’s own. Designed for 7-10 years old, any student can use it. It is my 9 year old son’s favorite program of the school year! My children already have basic keyboarding skills, but none of them have used Read, Write & Type, and they say that “using Wordy Qwerty is easy-peasy.”
Click to read the FAQs
20 lessons – 6 activities each
Qwerty helps students master activities and earn music spheres that they give to Midi. The spheres enable Midi to build his marvelous music machine and make music. This is a definite highlight of the program in our house.
Jeannine Herron has developed 6 steps that guide a child in acquiring reading and writing fluency:
- Patterns – recognizing that most words follow about 20 easy spelling rules.
- Karaoke – catchy, stick-in-your-head songs for each of the 20 spelling rules. Learning that some sounds can be represented in several ways.
- Recycler – there are many word families. By changing the first letter, you can make hundreds of words. We make things rhyme all the time.
- Pop-a-Word – quickly, and automatically recognizing that some words are “outlaws”, they consistently break the spelling rules.
- Write Stories – using rhymes, memory and dictation to build vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency, while developing spelling skills.
- Read Stories – reading and filling in missing words, increases vocabulary, comprehension and fluency skills.
Click on the scope and sequence graphic, below, to try lesson 1 – Silent E – FREE.
All home online subscriptions are for 5 years. Licensing is available for 1-5 users, for $25.00-$71.25 or you can order the CD home edition, for $35.00. Talking Fingers also lists the option of purchasing both home editions, Read, Write & Type and Wordy Qwerty, for $99.00.
Please, take the time to watch this 5 minute, YouTube video of Wordy Qwerty. It will give you a great overview of the system.
Talking Fingers, Inc.
830 Rincon Way
San Rafael, CA 94903
phone:
415.472.3103
email:
contact@talkingfingers.com
blog:
Let’s Talk About Reading, Writing and the Brain
Click graphic to follow facebook page
and
Find additional reviews by clicking the TOS Crew banner, below.
I hope you’ll let me know what you think of this product… It was an answer to my “need spelling curriculum” prayer, this year, with the bonus of reading, writing and typing practice.
Blessings,
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.
As always – I value your feedback. Thanks, PK
