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A Life Better Than I Deserve
Nov. 23, 2009
Review: C. S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters
When I was seventeen years old and only a few short years after my spiritual conversion, I attempted to read C. S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters. I say attempted because I neither recall completing it nor did I feel I really comprehended it completely. I never did study it again until now. Yet as much as I looked forward to listening to this audio drama, I did not anticipate how brilliantly disturbing yet insightful this audio drama would be.
True to the spirit of the original letters penned by C. S. Lewis and published in book form in 1942 as The Screwtape Letters, this audio rendition not only captures Lewis' depiction of the demonic underworld but also sheds light on the nature of human temptation. Indeed, Lewis' underworld is a dark depiction of a totalitarian bureaucracy, with demons not only delighting to torment their human victims in order to escape punishment themselves but also out to manipulate and even torment their fellow-demons. By learning to recognize demonic temptations in our own lives, Christians can hope to better thwart these schemes. For Lewis' original intent was perhaps best expressed by his stepson, Doug Gresham:
You see, to know what's contained here is to gain vital insights into how to fight those beings who would devour you even while they are embracing you in an imitation of love. Now you can laugh at them, and that really annoys them.
This audio drama, due to some mature subject matter as well as the intense dramatic interpretation, is recommended for ages 12 and up, which is an appropriate guideline. My own 14 year old has become quite enamored with not only this audio drama, but has now almost completed reading Lewis' original The Screwtape Letters--inspired by listening to this audio drama. However, I have not been allowing my younger children to listen to the audio CDs nor view the bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes featurettes. The outstanding cast, including such actors as Geoffrey Palmer portraying C. S. Lewis and Andy Serkis (perhaps best known as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings ) portraying Screwtape, has entertained me while it has occasionally convicted me of my own susceptibility to temptation.
If this review intrigues you, be sure to look at the official Screwtape audio drama website for more information about this audio drama and bonuses including a downloadable study guide, audio samples, ring tones, wallpaper and icons. This set includes 4 CDs of approximately 4 hours of material, plus a bonus DVD.
I was provided a free review copy of this audio drama by Tyndale House. However, I was not compensated in any other manner, and opinions expressed represent my own honest opinion.
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Nov. 23, 2009
Review: We R Fun Life on the Farm board game
Recently our family received a fun, educational board game from We R Fun, Inc. My children are always up for a fun way to learn, so they were understandably excited when this multiple award-winning game arrived on our doorstep! As the granddaughter of a Wisconsin dairy farmer, I was glad for a way to teach my children something about their own family's heritage, since my children never had opportunity to meet their great grandfather.
Although this game is designed for ages "8-108," we have found that if our 4 year old receives help from an older sibling or parent, even she can play along and have fun learning about life on a dairy farm! However, if your preschool or kindergarten aged child would be sad to see that one of their cows was struck by lightning or a passing automobile, you may choose to postpone playing until he or she is a little older.
 How do I play this game?
Up to six players may play at a time. Basically, this game is played by everyone rolling the dice and proceeding around a roughly circular game board. As you move, you land on spaces which give instructions to draw a "Farm Income" or "Farm Expense"--or something else entirely. You pay money, earn money, buy or sell cattle, help a neighbor, take a shortcut, or perhaps even lose a cow to complete your turn. When you complete a circuit around the board, you get to collect "milk money"--your primary source of income! You will want to purchase cattle until you have 60 cows in order to win the game--but watch out! As your herd increases, so do your expenses! Certain cards will see you paying out more money than others, so choose wisely when and how many cattle to purchase!
Our own children have been enjoying playing the short version of the game, which generally lasts around an hour, although it can easily last longer. In one game I kept acquiring money yet could never seem to land on a "cattle auction" space in order to purchase more cattle! When I finally did, I purchased over 20 at once and quickly moved from last place to winning the game! We have not attempted the longer version of this game yet, since the shorter version has worked fine for the amount of time we generally have to play games as well as my children's attention spans.
Now, what do I like about this game?
- Sturdy manufacture--the game is fairly heavy-duty in its construction. With a little care, it should last through many playings.
- Easy to learn and understand how to play.
- Employs strategy (as in deciding how many cows to purchase) as well as chance (with the roll of the dice).
- Representative of the joys and challenges of life on a dairy farm.
- You may choose between a regular and a "short" version of the game.
- Fun!
The Life on the Farm game can be ordered directly from We R Fun's ordering page yet is also available at specialty retailers and Kmart.com. This board game, priced at $25--or the preschool version, available for only $25--would make a nice family Christmas present! This game was invented by Keith Gohl and Ev Johnson, a brother-sister team. Keith himself is a third generation midwest dairy farmer. You can find out more about the inventors of this unique game on the about the inventors page.
This company also offers a farm theme-related math game titled "-13" and maintains a growing website. If you are looking for some fun, family-friendly farm jokes to share while playing this game, see these. To quote the We R Fun, Inc. website, we found this game to be "'udder'-ly unpredictable" and lots of fun for my children!
I was provided a free copy of this We R Fun board game for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for providing my honest review, and the opinions expressed represent my own and my family's experiences with this product. To read more about this product and many more exciting homeschooling products, please visit the Homeschool Crew web page.
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Nov. 17, 2009
Review: Exploramania's Gymathtics!
This exercise DVD with a unique twist recently arrived in our mailbox. Can you guess what it is by the title? Yes, Mathletics is an exercise DVD which incorporates some math concepts into the stretches, movements and strengthening exercises. My first impression was that this was a really neat concept! However, my slightly critical side immediately wondered whether this approach would really work--combining learning math with an exercise routine. In case you are wondering, the covered math concepts target a 2nd through 5th grade level.
These are the sections covered within approximately 30 minutes:
- shape stretches warm-up includes line, circle and polygon exercises
- counting calisthenics includes aerobic movements to work your heart as well as counting concepts
- pattern power includes growing and repeating pattern exercises combinations and is aerobic in nature (the youngest girl cast member is absent for this portion of the DVD)
- well-being wind down includes stretches, soft music, and some voice over of healthy lifestyle tips
My 11 year old, 9 year old, 4 year old and 2 year old children were the test subjects for this "interactive math and exercise experience." I have viewed the video along with them, and I have also modeled some of the movements for my children in order to encourage their participation. Although this DVD is not exactly suited toward more adult tastes, my children have enjoyed not only watching it but also exercising to it. My 2nd grader and 4 year old seem to have enjoyed it the most. Yet the math material covered was for the age ranges of my 2nd through 5th graders.
I am slightly surprised that my children have enjoyed it as much as they have, as I wondered whether it would prove too juvenile in appeal for my own 5th and 2nd graders. I actually think this DVD may be a good fit for my dyslexic 2nd grader, who seems to be a more kinesthetic learner and even for my 5th grade son who, being a boy, simply craves more physical activity during the day than my girls do. Overall, my 4 year old has been the one who has expressed the most interest in watching this DVD and doing the exercises.
Yet I am also not seeing the math concepts this program purports to teach translating to their learning. My children simply are not pointing out parallel lines and repeating patterns in their everyday lives. My 4 year old has not begun picking up on the concepts, which are admittedly above her level. However, we have not been using this program long and perhaps some of these math concepts might start to become ingrained over time. My instinct is that the appeal level is a little lower than the concepts covered, so unless your child is younger yet needing more math stimulation, older in age yet more juvenile in what appeals to them, or you are desiring an exercise program for inclement weather days or some other special need, this DVD may not be your best option.
Some of the strengths of this program are:
- the different aged children are friendly and appealing, with the children closest in age to my own children's ages being the most appealing
- the teacher is friendly and energetic
- the math concepts are correct
- a variety of exercises and activities are included
- preschool to early elementary appeal
This DVD retails for $24.99 and this company is offering a free shipping and handling special. Other products offered by this company include an Exploracise floor mat and some very colorful soccer balls which have math concepts printed on them. A second level DVD is coming soon. Honestly, this is not something we normally would have sought out to purchase, especially at this price. Yet I can see times when we will pull this DVD out on a rainy day for some exercise with perhaps a little reinforcement of math concepts thrown in as a side bonus.
I was provided a free copy of this DVD for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for providing my honest review, and the opinions expressed represent my own and my family's experiences with this product. To read more about this product and many more exciting homeschooling products, please visit the Homeschool Crew web page.
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Nov. 15, 2009
Review: Squeezing Good Out of Bad by James N. Watkins
Recently my own life has handed me a few "lemons," so when I had the opportunity to read James Watkins' study on dealing with how Christians should handle the problems (or "lemons") in one's life--a book which promised to be humorous, no less!--I decided to give it a read. What did I find? Well, whether his book refreshes or sours your own cup of tea may greatly depend on the flavor and quality of your tea.
Now, while many of Watkins' humorous stories rang true for me, just a few hit a flat note. I couldn't help but appreciate the sweet humor of a man who wrote about the reasons why dark chocolate is good for you, yet some of the humor was simply not my cup of tea. Similarly, many of his spiritual insights were refreshing while just a few I had to beg to differ with. Actually, for the first half of his book (a book which, incidentally, has been written with chapters in descending rather than ascending order) I was thinking that I was reading more of a personal inspirational book rather than a Bible Study, although each chapter does include personal reflection questions. It was in the second half of the book that more in-depth discussions of Scripture are included, and it was after I finished the book that I located some study guide questions on the author's web site to correspond with each chapter. This makes this book much more useful as a Bible study.
So, it is with mixed feelings that I discuss this semi-sweet Bible study. A few of Watkins' illustrations along with their spiritual lessons I will probably remember, but overall I will walk away with the citrus-sweet tang of refreshment in my nostrils while I leave the more sour undertones behind. Squeezing Good Out of Bad would probably prove most useful as a Bible study for those within a church family who are currently struggling--due to unemployment, family crisis, illness, or other difficulties. I can recommend this Bible Study with a few reservations, as I do feel there is still a good volume of healthy juice to be squeezed out of it. If this study is of interest to you, you may wish to read an excerpt from chapter 5 from the author's website.
This 111 page Bible Study was an easy, often humorous read and is available for $12.95 in paperback, $4.95 as a download, and $3.96 as a Kindle download.
I was provided a free review copy of this book from Kathy Carlton Willis.
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Nov. 15, 2009
Review: Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl
A few days ago I finished reading Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst, the President of Proverbs 31 Ministries. Initially I found myself drawn into this inspirational book by Lysa's humor. Lysa truly is a gifted storyteller. In an early chapter, "When I Feel I Don't Measure Up," her brownie bake sale had me not only laughing but reading the story aloud to my family to enjoy. From that chapter on, she had me hooked.
Yet it is not simply Lysa's humor but also her transparency in sharing her own less than glorious moments from girlhood through womanhood which really brings her own spiritual journey to life for her readers. Sharing her sometimes painful life's struggles with such honesty in order to inspire younger women toward spiritual growth is what makes this a good book. If you find yourself struggling with your own walk with God--finding yourself simply going through the motions of church attendance, quiet times and prayer--consider allowing yourself to laugh along with Lysa and see whether her joy does not inspire and encourage you as well.
Purchase this book from Zondervan here. This resource is also available as a Bible study set of DVD lessons with accompanying workbooks, as an ebook download, an audiobook download, or as an audio CD purchase.
I was provided a free review copy of this book from Zondervan.
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Nov. 14, 2009
Review: AVKO
I was provided a free year's membership to AVKO for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for providing my honest review, and the opinions expressed represent my own and my family's experiences with this product. To read more about this product and many more exciting homeschooling products, please visit the Homeschool Crew web page.
What is AVKO, exactly? Well, I had heard some good things about a spelling program called Sequential Spelling, and I discovered that this is the organization which produces that curriculum. Now, I have not used this particular spelling program, though it was in my top few options when I was researching a spelling change a few years ago--and I have talked to a few people who really love it. So I was interested in finding out more about this particular curriculum. So, what is AVKO all about?
First, AVKO is an educational non-profit organization based on the following mission statement:
AVKO is a non-profit, 501(C)3 membership organization that focuses on the development and production of materials and especially techniques to teach reading and spelling, handwriting (manuscript and cursive), and keyboarding. AVKO is dedicated to the teaching everyone how to read and spell, regardless of their mild to moderate learning disabilities, dyslexia, poverty, or opportunity.
Its founder, Don McCabe, is himself a dyslexic and this program focuses on addressing the reading difficulties associated with learning disabilities--particularly dyslexia. Both Sequential Spelling as well as the AVKO membership option will probably prove most useful for families which have dyslexic children. I have skimmed a couple of the e-books which are available free to members and it is all very interesting, though I cannot say that I understand all the theory and method yet.
However, in clicking on different pages of this website I further discovered that this method both holds some similarities with the Charlotte Mason method as well as some differences (which gave me some food for thought, since we incorporate some of Charlotte Mason's ideas into our homeschool). I also can tell you that this method seems to rely on using multisensory learning techniques as well as word families in teaching reading and spelling. As I have time in upcoming weeks and months, I hope to read up on this philosophy more and decide whether our family will be implementing portions of it in the future as well as discover how it is both alike and different from our current reading program, which is working for our dyslexic child.
I can also tell you that if this approach is of interest to you, you may be able to save considerably (over $400!) by purchasing either a basic membership for $25.00 per year or a Deluxe Membership for $100.00 a year. If this might benefit your family, be sure to read the detailed benefits here on the Membership benefits page. AVKO also maintains an AVKO's Freebies page, which can be a great place to learn more about AVKO to see whether this program may be a good fit for your own family.
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Nov. 9, 2009
Review: Let's Walk the Talk!
Recently I was provided a free review copy of Let's Walk the Talk! by Tyndale House. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for providing my honest review, and the opinions expressed represent my own opinion about this product. Those interested in purchasing a copy may purchase this title for $12.99 here.
Danae Dobson's latest inspirational book targeted for teenage girls contains 22 devotional-style chapters packed into 208 pages. Covering topics as diverse as parent/teen conflict, friendships with unbelievers, unwholesome speech, postmodernism, teen crushes, modesty issues, eating disorders and inner versus outer beauty, this small book certainly delves into some weighty topics! Perhaps best known as the grown daughter of Focus on the Family's Dr. James and Shirley Dobson, Danae certainly fits her "big sister" shoes well. Her tone is one of someone who remembers well what it was like to be a teenager and is not afraid to share her own failures in an effort to impart wisdom to the teens of today. I am pleased with the wisdom, direction and encouragement she offers adolescent girls.
For each chapter, Danae interviewed teenagers, youth ministers, teachers and counselors. Following each short inspirational essay, Danae quotes some of these youth and youth leaders' thoughts on each topic, and then includes devotional thoughts and questions designed to stimulate thinking and discussion. Although not quite a devotional book, this book could ideally be used as a mother-daughter study book to read together and discuss.
Now, it could be simply given to a teenaged girl to read, but for my own just-turned 14 year old homeschooled daughter, this book contains much that I will want to discuss with her. She has not known anyone with an eating disorder and is not familiar with some of the movies and television shows one chapter refers to. I could hand it over to her to read, but I would really prefer to discuss some of these topics with her and answer any questions she has and clear up any potential confusion. On a weekly mom-daughter "date night." Over hot tea or hot cocoa and cookies, in the living room, after the younger children have been sent to bed. Accompanied by a few prayers and this book, I can foresee some productive late night talks with lots of mother-daughter bonding in our future!
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Nov. 8, 2009
Review: American Heritage Education Foundation
Recently I was provided a CD-Rom from AHEF for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation in exchange for providing my honest review, and the opinions expressed represent my own and my family's experiences with this product. To read more about this product and many more exciting homeschooling products, please visit the Homeschool Crew web page.
At first, I was not quite sure how to approach this product. After all, this non-profit educational foundation writes history curricula for public schools. So, first how was I going to adapt curricula which is written for a public school classroom to work with my own 8th grader, 5th grader, and 2nd graders while still using my own perfectly good homeschool history curriculum? Second, was it really worth that effort? What were this company's foundational principles--their philosophical bias, if you will? Was that really going to be compatible with my own? Initially, I had my doubts.
So, just what was this company's mission? I found this right on the AHEF home page:
AHEF is a non-profit, non-partisan educational foundation dedicated to the understanding and teaching of America's factual and philosophical heritage to promote constructive citizenship and Freedom, Unity, Progress, and Responsibility among our students and citizens.
AHEF accomplishes this patriotic mission by writing, producing, and distributing FREE K-12 lesson plans to teachers, students, and families in all 50 states and through additional initiatives, programs, and partnerships.
Right below this company's mission I found this quote:
"Effective, cohesive, and positive self-government in a free democratic republic such as America requires an informed and educated citizenry for the survival of our participatory democracy. ...We are in danger of forgetting this lesson." "...[A] nation that does not know why it exists, or what it stands for, cannot be expected to long endure."
--Dr. Bruce Cole, President, American Revolution Center
Former Chairman, National Endowment for the Humanities
Well, I really like this statement. I agree with it. I want my children to know the foundations upon which our government was founded--principles of Freedom. Unity. Progress. Responsibility. I read further on AHEF's "The Problem" page. As they assert, these themes are founded in not only our Judeo-Christian and Western Civilization heritage, but also in our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution and other founding documents of our nation's history. You can read more here about this company's desire to prevent the further erosion of our country's values and freedoms.
So, how do I feel about this curriculum now? In short, I want my children to learn the principles upon which our nation was founded and this organization provides some educational activities to meet some of these same goals which our family already supports. Therefore, I decided I would just use some portions of this supplementary curriculum as a supplement to our history studies.
My children and I have engaged in some of the learning activities included in the Colonial America section--including reading and discussing the principles upon which America was founded and some great information about our Founders, playing the Independence game (which we had attempted somewhat unsuccessfully to adapt for a smaller group), reading a radio script ("We Got to Get Independence!"), and studying the Declaration of Independence, answering some questions about it and completing a crossword puzzle. We have only progressed about a third of our way through this curriculum, simply using it to supplement our other history studies. Other topics (usually assigned a "month" in which to study and tying back into those main key character themes I mentioned earlier: unity, freedom, responsibility and progress) I might use later in the year. Clearly not a complete curriculum and probably not as good a choice as our regular history curriculum's activities, but perhaps suitable for history supplementation for many families.
Sections included on the FREE CD-Rom include Elementary, Middle, High School, and an Elementary Spanish edition. The Elementary and Middle School lesson plans include 182-184 pages of lessons, worksheets, activities, crossword puzzles and even coloring pages. The lessons--although devoid of Christian content, being crafted for the public schools--are still adaptable for use by Christian families. These lessons, though needing some adaptation in many cases for the homeschool setting, contain some good information and extra activities you may wish to use to supplement your schoolwork. Many homeschools may benefit from the FREE download of this material. If you do not have high speed internet, you may also order a free CD-Rom from AHEF.
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