Contest Central
For the month of February

Harmony Fine Arts

Harmony Fine Arts describes their program as the art and music appreciation program for busy people. They have done all the research and organizing so that you can simply follow their lesson plans and offer a great program for your children.

Our TOS reviewer said, "I've read Charlotte Mason's thoughts on picture study and composer study, but still felt helpless to implement them. Harmony Fine Arts makes it so simple to use Charlotte Mason's ideas and organizes them in a classical education style. Harmony Fine Arts includes information for free resources whenever possible and Barbara has a blog where she shares what her children are doing and further insights of how to approach nature study, art and music. She is a rare gem among homeschoolers as she not only has done the groundwork with her children, but she shares the fruits of their experience in a way that will equip other homeschoolers to reach their goals in art and music."

Read the complete review online and enter for a chance to win a bundle of the grades 1-4 Art and Music Appreciation Curriculum. http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/Homeschool_Reviews/2092.php

TO ENTER:
Email Deb with your name and mailing address and the subject, "Harmony Fine Arts" for a chance to win*.
SeniorEditor@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com

Ark of the Covenant Casting Kit

Cook Communications Ministries

http://www.cookministries.com/faithkidz/

4050 Lee Vance View

Colorado Springs, CO 80918

(800) 708-5550 or (719) 536-0100

This is a casting kit that includes mold, plaster and directions to cast your own scale model of the mysterious resting place of the Ten Commandments. Kit includes five molds to create a 3-dimensional Ark.  Also included are suggestions to enhance the teaching value as you make this item with your children. 

Wow, I thought, I’m going to do something different than a book this time.  This will be fun.  It is gauged for ages 6 and up.  I certainly should be able to handle this.  I eagerly got out the directions to see what my 11 year old son and I needed to do.  The picture on the cover sure looks great with the finished model all painted up in gold.  We took a disposable plastic glass and mixed up some of the powdered plaster with water in the ratio instructed.  It was almost as thin as water but that made it easy to pour.  We poured into all the molds and set the molds aside to dry. 

The next day we went back to empty the molds.  They felt dry so I proceeded to try to pry them out of the think plastic molds.  The cherubim halves came out okay.  I managed to get the lid out with only a little of the top decoration falling enough, not enough to deter me from using it, however.  The base cracked in half.  The side cracked in half.  The end crumbled.  I glued the side and base parts back together, thinking I would have them if the second try didn’t work any better.  In the process, I decided that I hadn’t let them dry long enough.  So I mixed up more plaster/water, this time using only enough water to make it to a pouring consistency.  I poured a new bottom, a new side, a new end, and another set of cherubim halves.  This time I didn’t do more than just look at them for 3 days.  They did come out much better this time with all pieces intact.  At this point, however, I still needed another end at the very least and preferably another side as well.  However, there wasn’t that much plaster left.  So I mixed up what I had and it managed to fill the end mold with a little to spare, but not enough for another side.  The end was then left to dry for the allotted three days and it popped out without much trouble and no injury. 

Time to put it together.  I got out my all-purpose white glue and decided to start with gluing the bottom to the two sides.  I couldn’t do the ends at the same time cause the ends had the legs on them, so they weren’t at the same level.  I also glued the halves of the cherubim together.  The first set of halves hadn’t dried as well as the second half and somehow the wing on one side was a little bit “warped.”  Hence the wings don’t come quite together as they should have.  So I decided this angel had arthritis and decreased range of motion.  I went to glue the second cherubim together and pressed a little too hard on the pieces.  Ended up the head broke off one side, half the wing off one side and the tip of the other wing.  It was hardly noticeable when glued back in place, though.  The glue did its job and after a day, I turned the box over and added the ends.  Well, I should have done ends and sides together first, it seems, cause now I had the ends extending past the sides.  I could have cut the glue and started over, but I had by this time decided I really liked reviewing books.  Oh well, my box doesn’t have perfectly squared corners, who would notice? I glued my cherubims onto the lid and put the thin plastic sticks through the handle holes in the ends.  Walla!  It was now ready for my gold spray paint that I had purchased just for this.  That went without problems and I have a beautiful, if unique, model of the Ark. 

I would like to have had more detailed instructions and tips re: the molding process as I’m sure there are others who are no more craft savvy than I am.  But, despite my difficulties, I do think this is a worthwhile project in that although the finished product was far from perfect, it is a reasonable replica to discuss what the Ark was, it’s place in the life of the Hebrews and in the temple.  It would be good for family Bible Study as well as Sunday School use. 

Product Review by:  Nancy Wagner, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

White as Snow

by Donna Westover Gallup

Cladach Publishing

PO Box 336144

Greeley, CO  80633

916-725-3630

www.cladach.com

This is a Christian fiction story of a 10 year old boy named Charlie who is faced with death in the Colorado Territory in 1864.  Charlie lives with his grandpa and his grandpa seems to be asleep and won’t wake up.  Throw in winter coming on and no neighbors for miles and you have a pretty bleak situation.  After an encounter with an angry grizzly bear mother, only a miracle could save them.  Christmas is coming, however. 

This is the first book in a series called “Mysterious Ways.”  In subsequent books Charlie will age and face new struggles in his spiritual life.  In this book, however, he faces that first spiritual struggle for all seekers; is God real and if so, why isn’t he helping right now?  The book is filled with pleas to God and answers from God, but in very natural sounding situations; not preachy at all. 

The book is easy reading and told from Charlie’s perspective.  The plot is well defined and very realistic.  The fact that it takes place almost 150 years ago will keep this book from being too real and scary in the beginning for young readers.  Charlie is presented very realistically with all the dreams and ineptitude of a 10 year old boy in this seemingly overwhelming situation. I fully recommend this book for older elementary age and above and I look forward to the next book when it comes out. 

Product Review by:  Nancy Wagner, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

Walking Like Jesus Did      

Studies in the Character of Christ

By Larry E. McGill

BMH Books

Winona Lake, Indiana

www.bmhbooks.com

This is a serious book to help the reader recognize and become a recognizable follower of Jesus Christ.  The author submits that you can recognize a follower by two factors – does the person “obey Jesus’ words” and does this person “walk as Jesus did?”  There are 17 chapters that tell the reader why and how to become a recognizable Christian detailing aspects of Christ such as meekness, holiness, compassion, suffering, persevering, forgiving, praying, serving, and loving.  The last two chapters deal with the cost of following Jesus and the reward of following Jesus.  The text has scripture references to back up their ideas throughout the book. 

The chapters are fairly short, normally about 8 pages in length, and are followed by discussion questions.  These are not easy questions and require thought and would be great for an actual discussion versus introspection.  This would be a good resource for a serious high school Sunday school class or Bible discipleship class.  This is a book that could be reread periodically and would help deepen the searching Christian’s walk with Christ. 

I would recommend this book for an adult or older teen discipleship class.  This is not a evangelic tool to give someone who is not yet a Christian, but it is an excellent book for the Christian desiring to deepen their walk with Christ. 

Product Review by:  Nancy Wagner, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

Walking Like Jesus Did      

Studies in the Character of Christ

By Larry E. McGill

BMH Books

Winona Lake, Indiana

www.bmhbooks.com

This is a serious book to help the reader recognize and become a recognizable follower of Jesus Christ.  The author submits that you can recognize a follower by two factors – does the person “obey Jesus’ words” and does this person “walk as Jesus did?”  There are 17 chapters that tell the reader why and how to become a recognizable Christian detailing aspects of Christ such as meekness, holiness, compassion, suffering, persevering, forgiving, praying, serving, and loving.  The last two chapters deal with the cost of following Jesus and the reward of following Jesus.  The text has scripture references to back up their ideas throughout the book. 

The chapters are fairly short, normally about 8 pages in length, and are followed by discussion questions.  These are not easy questions and require thought and would be great for an actual discussion versus introspection.  This would be a good resource for a serious high school Sunday school class or Bible discipleship class.  This is a book that could be reread periodically and would help deepen the searching Christian’s walk with Christ. 

I would recommend this book for an adult or older teen discipleship class.  This is not a evangelic tool to give someone who is not yet a Christian, but it is an excellent book for the Christian desiring to deepen their walk with Christ. 

Product Review by:  Nancy Wagner, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

I’ve Missed a Sunset or Three

By Phyllis Anderson Wood

Author House

www.authorhouse.com

This is a book about a troubled teen, Jim, who meets another trouble teen, Rachel.  Both have been isolating themselves from the world and from themselves as well and slowly help each other to rediscover their own feelings and see color in their surroundings once again.  In a way, this is a love story written from the guy’s point of view as they learn to love themselves again as well as each other. 

This book was originally written in the 1970 as Mrs. Wood was teaching high school outside San Francisco.  It has been revised by the author and re-released in 2006.  The reader is immediately drawn into the action and it holds their interest throughout the book.  It is not a lengthy book at 136 pages and the vocabulary level is easy reading.  Most persons could read this in a matter of hours except that time is needed to process the feelings being dealt with and while I did read it in one sitting, I felt rushed when finished.   

The book is very thoughtful and deals with responsibility, peer interactions, hopes, worries and problem solving in the teen years.  It did not deal in depth with awakening feelings toward the opposite sex, though it was touched on.  I found it a book that I did not immediately forget and continued to think over in my mind after I had completed reading.  This is a book that would be good in a church library as well as in a high school or junior high library.  I would recommend this book to teen readers, both boys and girls. 

Product Review by:  Nancy Wagner, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

Game Factory

A simulation exploring the connection between games and probability.

Highsmith PO Box 900

Ft. Atkinson, WI  53538-0900

800-359-0961

www.teachinteract.com

This is a book of games for grades 3-7, modified for grade 3-5 and 5-7 groupings.  But these are not just any games; these are games that need testing.  Are they fair games?  Are the games weighted?  Will Goodwin’s Game Factory go under?  So the students are secretly “hired” to test out the games and modify them to make sure they are fair.  The games involve spinners, dice, coins, cards, and other hands-on objects.  It is based on a five day period going into each factory design room to investigate new games.  The unit culminates by testing their learning to develop their own “fair” game to share with the rest of the class.

This is obviously written with a classroom situation in mind, but it could be used with a family as well.  It isn’t nearly as much fun with only one child, but still doable.  It is not something done at the spur of the moment, however; pages must be photocopied onto card stock, spinners cut out, supplies gathered.  It also takes a concerted effort on the part of the parent/teacher to get through the instructions without distractions to understand what is to be done.  That was my biggest problem and caused it to sit for quite a while before I managed to get that accomplished.  But perhaps you are more organized and focused than I.  

Once you wade through the instructions, the games are actually quite simple and can be quite intriguing.  One of the games involves a set of spinners (identical with 4 letters on each spinner) with the players spinning their spinners at the same time.  If the spinners match, player A moves one space.  If they don’t match, player B moves one space.  The first one to reach the finishing line is the winner.  It won’t take long before it becomes obvious that this is not a fair game.  Is the game less weighted if there aren’t so many choices for the spinner to land on?  Try a spinner with three colors.  What if spinners with the numbers 1 through 6 are used and the two numbers resulting are multiplied together?  If the product is odd, player A moves 2 spaces and if the product is even, player B moves 1 space.  Is this fair?  One last possibility; how about if each player takes turns spinning and moves their marker the same number as spun?  Would that be fair?    

I would recommend this with certain conditions:  First, the parent/teacher must plan for time to figure this out before starting.  Secondly, more than one child really needs to be involved; ideally 4 or more children so they can pair off into teams that will add to the sense of competition and fun.   

Product Review by:  Nancy Wagner, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

A Vase of Mistaken Identity

By Cathy Elliott

Kregel Publications

PO Box 2607

Grand Rapids, MI  49501

http://kregel.gospelcom.net/

This novel is a delight for the mystery lover who wants a little romance as well.  The main character is Thea, a single young woman who owns her own antique shop in a resort area.  It isn’t long into the book before a body is found and the mystery begins, quickly followed by the purchase of an antique vase with a list of names; Thea, her sister, and two friends.  Where did it come from?  Who wrote their names and why?  When the first person on the list ends up in a coma and the second person disappears, Thea is actively and intently processing clues with a handsome male reporter and her uncle, a retired policeman.  This is not your typical romantic mystery, however; it is definitely a Christian novel and the characters are not ever in compromising positions

Be prepared to be absorbed into the story quickly and the resolutions of the mystery is a true surprise in the end.  Along the way Thea regains her faith as well as a new man in her life.  I love a happy ending even if the plot is rather predictable at times. 

I would recommend this book for teen girls as well as adult women.  It is easy reading, Christian, and though is over 200 pages, will be an enjoyable interlude for the reader. 

Product Review by:  Nancy Wagner, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

The Pony Express

A 2000 mile horse race

Sequoia Ministry

916-725-3630

www.sequoiaministry.com

This is a study guide, 8 x 10 size bound with a plastic binder that has 29 pages filled with many interesting facts about the short-lived Pony Express.  It even includes a biography of some of the riders and a compiled list of all the known pony express riders (official records have never been found). 

My 11 year old son picked up the book and had it read within an hour.  He liked it and so did I.  I don’t want to give away any of the interesting facts we learned, however, so won’t go into details.  On the cover, though, it catches your interest immediately with a WANTED ad that was published in San Francisco for riders.  No age level was listed, but the youngest rider was 11 years old, one interesting tidbit my son quickly pointed out to me. 

There is one account that tells of the death of one of the riders (after he had enlisted in the army during the Civil War) in fairly graphic details at the hands of enemy guerrilla soldiers in 1863.  This may be more of an issue to many families, depending on the age of the child.  This was, however, an account that took place during a war and war is not pretty.  There are no other such incidents in the book.  Sequoia Ministry is a Christian ministry and there are no problems with the presentation of the facts from that aspect. 

While it is an interesting study guide, I, personally, feel it is too expensive at $10 for 29 pages that did not include a quiz, discussion questions, or anything else to assess comprehension.  For some families, lack of these items will not be a problem and for others it will be a minor problem.  There is one problem, however, that is definitely concerning.  At the end of the book the biography of one of the riders who died in 1932 states “having lived to become the last surviving Pony Express rider.”  This definitely does not square with a photo of a gentleman in the front of the book with the notation that he was the youngest rider ever for the Pony Express at the age of 11 and died in 1955.   

Product Review by:  Nancy Wagner, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

Life of Fred - Beginning Algebra

By Stanley F. Schmidt, PhD

Polka Dot Publishing

PO Box 8458

Reno, NV 89507-8458

(775) 852-2690

polkadotpublishing.com

This is a very original approach to mathematics.  Dr. Schmidt is a math teacher and he has seen how boring traditional math books are to students and how they fail to explain why, in this case, algebra is necessary for nearly any job in life and required by virtually all universities prior to admission.  These are easy statements to make, and true, but “show me why and how” is missing.  And, further, this is not just about Algebra.  A Renoir painting appears in chapter twelve, Strauss painting in chapter nine.  A portion of Christina Rossetti’s poem is quoted in chapter eight.  Do you know what enjambment means?  Do you know there are four classes of exceptions to the rule “i before e”?  Fred is also a Christian and that comes out in his musings as well though not in a preachy way.  In the dedication page it is most obvious, but in the rest of the book it is just treated as part of life.  In the same way, he shows that math is part of life and not isolated from life. 

Fred, the main “character” in this book, is a 5 year old genius and professor at Kittens University.  In the beginning of Chapter one, he is dreaming about a rose garden and as he dreams  he explains infinite versus finite numbers, natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, negative numbers, ratios, and the empty set.  Throw in a few other interesting facts like famous North Dakotans and humor such as how you can’t, when counting moose, have a negative moose, and you can see this is not your typical math text.  It is actually interesting to read and explains things very simply using realistic examples of where this knowledge will be used.  However, the student is not talked down to; a full adult vocabulary is used.    

There are 12 chapters in 305 pages with multiple sets of exercises for each chapter.  In the back is a section called “A.R.T.” – All Reorganized Together.  This has the formulas and condensed “how-to” for reference.  Contents are:  Numbers & Sets, The Integers, Equations, Motion & Mixture, Two Unknowns, Exponents, Factoring, Fractions, Square Roots, Quadratic Equations, Functions & Slope, and Inequalities & Absolute Value.  I contacted the author, Dr. Schmidt to ask about the levels.  He does not have a pre-algebra or Algebra 1/2 course.  He considers pre-algebra to be nothing more then ordinary math.  His Beginning Algebra is first year Algebra and Advanced Algebra would be second year Algebra.   

An additional gem of this text for the homeschooler is Fred’s Home Companion Beginning Algebra.  It is a study guide that breaks up the Beginning Algebra book into 108 daily readings.  This means that in the course of one summer with daily use the entire book could be finished.  Also in this Home Companion are the answers for all of the end-of-the-chapter problems whereas in the book, only 60% of the questions show answers.  In addition, there are more problems if needed for particularly difficult concepts and even lecture notes with problems to put on a board not mentioned in the text itself.  Dr. Schmidt emphasizes that The Home Companion is not necessary unless there is a particular problem with a concept as those problems in the text with answers would be the only ones necessary to do.  However, some parents may wish to use the problems without answers for test purposes and The Home Companion would come in very handy for those purposes.  The Home Companion price is $14, but is not available on the website.  To obtain the Home Companion, Dr. Schmidt has to be contacted by writing or phone; the reason being to prevent a student from getting the answers to all the questions without the teacher’s knowledge as traditional classrooms do use these books.   

The copyright on the text is 2002 and the Home Companion copyright is 2005.  According to one user, her children, while still not math fans, are getting through the subject much easier than with prior textbooks attempted.  It is new enough I could not find many reviews out there, but of those few I found, they were unanimously positive.    

Despite scanty evidence of its efficacy, I will conditionally recommend this book for those ready for Algebra.  I personally intend to give it a full test as soon as my son is ready for Algebra in another couple of years.  He has difficulty with math and this text promises to be much less painful and is written to be self-teaching.    

Review by Nancy Wagner, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

A Five-Color Buick and a Blue-Eyed Cat

By Phyllis Anderson Wood

Author House

www.authorhouse.com

This is an excellent book of the adventures of some high school kids in their first job transporting pets for a pet store chain.  There is no objectionable sexual content or violence and is just delightful reading.   This is a revised 2006 edition and may have been originally written in the 1970s when Mrs. Wood was teaching high school in California. 

This book is easy reading and does not have any intensity of emotions or turmoil beyond normal teen problems of getting a parent to agree to their plan of action. 

While there is no mention of church or God, Christian values are evident in the interplay between the teens and their parents and each other.   I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it for any teen looking for a fun, relaxing book with a few chuckles.    

Product Review by:  Nancy Wagner, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

Hay gals and guys - check out this site for a free intereactive study of the fifty states. 

http://www.aamhomeschool.org/niftyfifty/

I looked over the site as a whole and it looks really good for the subject of American and events in American History.  It is not comprehensive for all of American History,  but does, for the lessons they have, have a pretest and postest on each lesson.  There are some minimal computer requirements to be able to access the lessons.  You can access the lessons without registering, but if you register you can track your student's progress. 

Here is the home page of the site. 

http://www.aamhomeschool.org/

I should add that it appears that this is for middle school and high school level from a quick purusal of the site. 

Nancy

Homeschooling the High Schooler by Paul and Gena Suarez. 

http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/subscribe/cart/agora.cgi?p_id=00053&ppinc=shs&hdr=shs&ftr=back

This is a subject I have become more interested in as my son, now 11, gets older and closer to high school so I took a look at this book hoping for some very practical advise.  I was not disappointed.  This is actually a collection of articles by experienced homeschoolers, homeschooled high schoolers, and others.  It is a very practical book and I am excited to be able to share this valuable resource with you. 

Nancy Wagner

This review done by Nathan Bluedorn and reprinted here with his permission. 

Book Review: "The Peacemaker" by Ken Sande

My family first heard Ken Sande speak at the 1999 Illinois Christian Home
Educators convention. My Dad brought Sande's book "The Peacemaker" home
and he read it at evening Bible study. Two pieces of advice at that time were memorable: (1) when apologizing, "The word 'but' is especially harmful, because it has the strange ability to cancel all the words that precede it,"  > (pp 128) and (2) if you truly forgive someone, you will stop digging up their past sins.

Recently, I decided to re-read "The Peacemaker." These points stood out to me:

1. Peacemaking begins with self-transformation. Sande asks me to turn my attention away from my opponent and look at myself. ". . . [M]ost people tend to focus on the negative characteristics of the person who is disagreeing with you, exaggerating his faults and overlooking his virtues."  

 Whereas, "As you search your heart for idols, you will often encounter multiple layers of concealment, disguise, and justification." (pp 105) My idol is seeing other people's faults and how the world would be a better place if they would change. Thinking this way hides my problems from myself

I'm the only real problem God gave me to resolve in life. And my repentance may be the greatest catalyst for helping someone who is in conflict with me.

2. Conflict is God's tool to deepen our relationship with Him. "Every time you encounter a conflict, you will inevitably show what you really think of God." (p. 33) Do I trust God enough to commit myself to resolving this conflict? Or should I give up when my opponent does not seem to listen?

"The other benefit of a God-centered approach to conflict resolution is that it makes you less dependent on results." (pp 34) As my mother says, it's the process that counts. 

3. It does not matter who started it; everyone involved in a conflict has the responsibility to go to his or her opponent and talk about the conflict.  It is rationalizing to say, "He should come to me because he offended me."  I often vilify people in my mind to justify not communicating with them. "They're so cemented in their sin; they probably won't listen to me." I want to stop being cynical and have the hope that does not end - because it is the hope that God will work in all of us.

4. I have trouble winning at chess because I can't see the board from my opponent's perspective. I want to see him lose, so I get distracted imagining ways he could lose. In a conflict, my mind dwells on the errors in my opponent perspective and how right I am to notice them. But God asks me to be objective, and be as generous when thinking about what my opponent's desires and interests, as I would be when thinking about myself.

As much as I want each conflict in my life to go away, God wants to use them to change me. God will give me the strength to do the impossible, such as forgive someone who has hurt me.

You may not be in a conflict, but this book will give you useful tools for when God provides an opportunity in the future - because conflict is an opportunity, a gift.

Nathaniel Bluedorn
www.christianlogic.com

Under the Grass by Wren Blackberry

Josiah Publishing

PO Box 143

North Chili, NY  14514

www.josiahnews.com

Under the Grass is the first book in a series of Christian mysteries called the Metrico Mesh for middle school age kids.  This series combines “blends science, creative problem-solving, and adventure. Join Jeff and Jacquie Métrico as they explore their surroundings”.  In “Under the Grass”, Jeff Metrico goes exploring with a friend after local flooding in his rural area.  What they find is astounding and leads to more and more questions, including conversations with a friend’s grandfather about the book of Job from the Old Testament.  It is hardly all an academic setting, however, as Jeff and his friend find actual danger and heroism emerges when least expected. 

I found this book very interesting, easy to follow, and very good at keeping the reader’s interest.  In the back of the book there is a single page that lists topics brought up in the book for further research as desired.  Also is a suggestion to the reader to explore what he thinks Jeff did the next morning when he woke up.  Book 3 in the series is based upon that question and the reader can compare his thoughts to the author’s thoughts with that book.  There were small black and white photos interspersed, but the quality was less than desirable and they were somewhat blurry.  Although that may have been their intent I found them somewhat irksome. 

.  

I would definitely recommend this book for upper elementary and middle school age children.  I’m guessing the vocabulary would be about 5^th grade level.  Book 2 follows Jeff’s sister, Jacquie, through an adventure, so the series is not a “boy’s series” and there is nothing inherently boyish about “Under the Grass” other than it is two boys on the adventure.  The entire book was very wholesome and innocent, yet adventurous as well just as children this age should be. 

Product Review by Nancy Wagner, The Old Schoolhouse magazine. 

Looking for curriculum for the next school year?  Let me tell you about Robinson Curriculum, the main curriculum in our house. 

http://www.robinsoncurriculum.com/

Dr. Arthur Robinson, a scientist in Oregon, put together this curriculum for his children after his wife, homeschool mom and also a scientist, unexpectedly passed away leaving 6 kids motherless, the youngest only 18 months.  Being a busy scientist, yet not willing to suddenly put the children in day care and public school, he could not use many of the materaials his wife had accumulated because they needed a teacher. 

So he put together this curriculum that really amounts to, once the child has learned how to read fluently, basic self-teaching.  The curriculum except some math is all on CDs, 22 in version 2.2, and includes McGuffy's Primers, classic literature, and not so classic literature that teach history and science as well as literature.  Version 2.2 has added vocabulary exercises as well as grammer and spelling books.  It has (again, with the exception of Saxon Math 54 through Calculus) everything needed for a complete 12 years of education including higher level math and science textbooks.  It focuses on the basics.  No extracurriculur subjects.  Can you do extracurricular?  Of course - your homeschool is yours to taylor to your situation, they simply aren't included on the CDs. 

Is this a format for everyone?  No.  May parents specifically want to and have the time to spend teaching and learnaing with their children.  Others, such as large families or in circumstances like my own where I work from home, do not have that luxury.  Also, this format may not work well if the child is not a visual learner.  Do I expect my 11 year old to always do his work without any help from me?  So I basically ignore him during the school day? 

Absolutely not.  For instance, he is in Saxon 54 (math curriculum Dr. Robinson recommends and saw no need to duplicate on the CDs).  He is required to read the lesson for himself and do the problems.  If he cannot figure it out, he is first instructed to go back and read the lesson again and try again.  Eventually, if needed, I do assist. We always check his answers together (eventually this may change, but not at this point) and go over the ones he has missed. 

I have heard many criticisms, "It's just a bunch of books on CDs", "How can they say it's a complete curriculum without....."  "You have to get rid of your TV and the kids can't be on the computer."  "You have to go no-sugar."

Nonsence!  I would wager very few people use a curriculum EXACTLY as suggested.  Some of the RC users are no TV and no sugar.  And those that do will undoubtedly get the most benefit because TV and sugar really aren't that good for your kids anyway.  But I would venture to say that most RC users go for moderation in all things.

As for, "It's just a bunch of books on CDs", that's not at all true.  The course of study is the actualy key to the entire curriculum in teaching your children to teach themselves.  There are examinations for selected books, vocabulary exercises, flash cards, and now spelling and grammer workbooks on the CDs as well. 

"How can they call themselves a complete curriculum without......"  Well, some people put science in there.  That's because the books about nature and science are not textbooks.  Science is, indeed, in the curriculum and once math is mastered, science is presented in textbook form. 

Some people put history in that blank.  No history?  Again, no history textbooks.  Instead, the books are those written much closer to the time of the actual events and oftentimes contemporaries of the subjects.  History is well know for being rewritten each generation instead of looking at looking at the events of the time with no knowledge of the future to understand why choices were made. 

Well, that's enough from me tonight.  I think you've got the idea that I definitely like this curriculum. 

Considering it?  Check out the RobinsonUsers4Christ yahoo e-group and lurk for a while, I'm not the only one who will adamently defend and extoll this curriculum. 

Recess at 20 Below by Cindy Lou Aillaud

Alaska Northwest Books

Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company

639 West International

Airport Road, #38

Anchorage, AK  99518

www.gacpc.com

This is a fascinating 30 page book full of photographs, many of them full page and all in color, of recess at a school in Alaska during the wintertime.  The author is a teacher as well as a photographer.  There are photographs of the kids putting on the layers of clothing for recess, sledding, on the typical playground equipment that are nearly buried in snow, then returning inside and the piles of discarded clothing.  There are photos of frozen eyelashes, walking to school in the dark, and more. 

Along with the photos are tidbits of information about life in Alaska in the winter, wild animals that visit the school, a hand drawn map of Alaska, and difficulties doing the typical recess activities.  A free study guide to go along with the book is available online to include language arts, science, math, and art to make a mini-unit study all in itself.  The science and art activities could be done and enjoyed by upper elementary children with minimal assistance, but also could be enjoyed by lower elementary children with assistance.  The math is 1^st to 2^nd grade level, but ideas easily come to mind for more difficult math activities that would tie into geography with a little outside research. 

This is for lower elementary to upper elementary or even adults just to enjoy the photographs.  I greatly enjoyed looking through it and it makes a great read aloud to younger children with the colorful large photographs.  The fact that it is of real children in a real situation make it even more fascinating. 

Book Review by Nancy Wagner TOS

Vince Profett and the Dead Man’s Bones by R. Tyler Scott

Publish America

Baltimore

www.publishamerica.com

This book is pure fantasy with the main character 11 year old Vince.  Vince is in Lebanon with his archeological parents and follows a white rabbit, falling into a hole in the sand.  There he receives a vision from the angel Gabriel and told he would have special powers from God to use to help people in specific situations just by touching a dead man’s bones.  Throughout the story Vince is assisted by Gabriel first then a mentor, a retired minister, and ends up in a potentially deadly situation. 

I do have a couple of concerns about this book.  First, the main character has to keep his special powers a secret from everybody, including his parents.  Secondly, the main character walks into a very dangerous situation with a “responsible” adult without his parent’s knowledge; more than a little implausible, but then so are special powers from touching a dead man’s bones.      

That said, there is no chanting of magic spells.  The main character has a faith in God and a knowledge of God as does his family.  The book gives a very good illustration of how everything in life is in God’s timing and God’s plan.  Through it all, Vince remains an 11 year old boy, playing baseball, teasing his sister and picking on his brother.  The book is well written and the action moves right along.  I would recommend this book for upper elementary age kids. 

Review by Nancy Wagner, TOS

“From My Self To My Savior” by Ellen Myers The Providence Project    Whitewater, Kansas  67154 www.providenceproject.com     This is an autobiographical book by a lady who grew up in and lived through the anti-Semitic times in the heart of Germany itself.  Her mother was Jewish and her father anti-Nazi and a strong Christian.  They managed to avoid arrest and the concentration camps and Ms. Myers provides a quite interesting look into the realities of everyday life hiding in plain sight.  Included are over 50 photographs and documents proving her story.  But most important, along with that life of tension, stress, and danger came turning away from God for Ellen.   Still living in Kansas at the time of this publishing in 2004, Mrs. Myers wrote this book in installments to her children over about 25 years.  It was their idea to put these “installments” into book form, editing to ensure a smooth transition from chapter to chapter.  Mrs. Myers also chronicles her eventual return to God and now, even in her early 80s, is a speaker for Voice of the Martyrs in churches, schools and civic meetings.    This is a very interesting book.  The writing is very descriptive of her life growing up and surviving during the war from a child and teen’s viewpoint.  She was a child gifted with the ability to learn languages, which helped her immensely in her survival and shaping the rest of her life.  I would recommend this book for teens and adults interested in life in Nazi Germany.    Product Review by:  Nancy Wagner, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

“The Story of the World, Volume 4,” by Susan Wise Bauer Peace Hill Press 18101 The Glebe Lane Charles City, VA  23030 (877)322-3445 www.peacehillpress.com      This is a wonderful addition to the previous three editions of The Story of the World.  Publication date August of 2005.  This edition weaves world history from 1850 to 2000 into a storybook format which increases comprehension and retention over using a standard history textbook.  I find this presumption to be quite true for both myself and my child, so this style is right up our alley.    I somehow had missed knowing about this series, so I did a little reading up.  One source stated Volume 1, which covers the ancient times, is geared for grades 1-4, Volume 2 covers the Middle Ages and is geared for grades 2-5, Volume 3 covers early modern times and is geared for grades 3-6, and Volume 4 is written for grades 4 through junior high.  Note, however, that the Peace Hill Press site does not acknowledge recommended grade levels.  The earlier volumes especially were reportedly written with the idea that the parent would read to the child or, if older, the children could read the stories by themselves.  Volume 4, however, covers a more violent era with thousands and millions of people killed with the advent of modern warfare and is written is a slightly more advanced style than the earlier volumes, which partly accounts for its higher grade recommendation as well.    I found Volume 4 to be a very good coverage of history.  Most of the events I had never heard or, or had no recollection of them other than a vague name, from my own public school education.  For instance, the Taiping Rebellion, The Second Reich, and the original countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania that I had not known existed until after the Soviet Union dissolved.  Details of the Potato Famine in Ireland, the origin of the modern country of South Africa, and many, many more events seem brand new or at least much clearer in my mind after reading this book.  These events are all woven into each other chronologically, so about the time one thing was happening, across the world this other thing was also happening and how they were related with maps and illustrations complementing and clarifying events.    I read through The Story of the World, Volume 4 searching for how Ms. Bauer would handle the many massacres such as the Holocaust, while still writing for elementary age students.  I was not disappointed.  She fully acknowledged the horrible treatment and systematic death of Jewish people as well as other people deemed “undesirable” by German standards.  But, she does not go into any detail about just how horrible that treatment and deaths were.  An older elementary child will be able to read this book without being traumatized, yet still understanding it was a horrible time in history.  Each event gives enough details to be easily researched for further details as the child and parent desire, but manage to high the most important points.  Another point that I found quite refreshing regarding the Holocaust was that Allied countries were all aware of the death camps a full two years before it was acknowledged and challenged, including the United States.  There is no patriotism blind to facts, yet blame is not dwelt upon unduly.    I highly recommend these books; in fact I went out and bought her entire series for use in our own home school.    Product Review by:  Nancy Wagner, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine