My Little Corner

Saturday, August 2, 2008 -
Rosetta Stone and cat poo-- both stink

OK, we've been using Rosetta Stone French for 2 years... we bought version 2, Level 1, all the kids are using it, and the 2 oldest girls are just about through... I was aware that they've brought out version 3 (which has 3 levels), but was told by a rep at RS that I could move the girls into v3 level 2 with very little problem.... *sigh*..... WELLLL-----

Lo and behold, I called them today to find out just HOW the transition can be done, before I put my school order in, and guess what? The 2 versions are NOT compatible, and my kids would have to start over at the beginning of Level 1 again!!! My oldest, Emily, is going into grade 11. It took her 2 years to get through one level at THEIR suggested pace! And their solution is to buy all 3 levels of v3 at their "special homeschool price" and hope for the best, I guess. The discount might be a good one, but it still doesn't solve the problem of a kid having to start over.... talk about a way to make someone hate a subject fast.

Oh, yes, and I mentioned trying to find a version 2 out there somewhere and was "reminded" that it's illegal to buy or sell used copies and they "do prosecute" !!!!!!! (and they'd know how???) As well, they've recalled all v2 sets from their resellers. This STINKS!!! (actually it does what a vaccuum cleaner does too but that looked a little crude so I changed it).

I am so frustrated by this!!!! How many hs'ers can afford to go and replace an entire curriculum that costs over $250 for a single level ? ? ? This company is going to alienate an entire customer base.

Meanwhile, I am stuck trying to find a decent French program for senior high, that doesn't A) repeat what she's already done, or B) require something she's not ready for. And living in southeast NB, it's neccessary for the kids to learn to speak French well. They at LEAST have to be educated in it as much as public school kids, and they all get it in school til grade 12 here (mandatory). Did I mention how frustrated I am?!?!?!?!?!?

Thanks for listening.

It's been the day from you-know-where (suffice to say cat poo stinks and the living room rug-- a 5x7 one-- is now rolled up in the backyard... and the whole house got scrubbed today with bleach). I'm going to go to bed.

jen

1 comments :: leave me a message :: permanent link

Sunday, August 13, 2006 -
Review: Considering God's Creation

... Posted in Product reviews

A couple of years ago we used Considering God's Creation for our science program. I wrote up a review for it last fall, posting it somewhere else, and thought I'd share it here.

I was impressed by several things in this program. The price was right (cheap for what you get, in fact), you can do this with multiple grade levels (although it can get frustrating for the older ones to have to wait for the younger ones to finish up), and the information is really interesting.

I did find that some lessons seemed to take forever to get through, simply because they were so jam-packed with stuff to do/read/write, and sometimes I felt more like I was lecturing than teaching. I started typing up certain components of the lessons and printing them off (vocabulary words, main points, and the review questions at the end). This may have back-fired, though, in that kids tend to remember more when they have to write it out themselves.

I taught this to 3 kids, and they all had differing opinions on it. The oldest hated it. She was at the upper grade levels, 6 and 7. The middle one loved it- she's a cutting and gluing kid- and the youngest would've liked it better if his sisters wouldn't have been there!

To save money, I bought only one student book and copied it. Don't do this. It was a pain to do, and these pages are hard on ink (lots of black striping in the pages, and filled-in black pictures... doesn't copy real well anyhow). You will save yourself a LOT of aggravation by just splurging on the extra student books!!! I have 2 more children to hs, and I will probably use this again when they're in maybe grades 2 and 4.

One final thought- this program can realistically be stretched into 2 or even 3 years. We did 2 years, and then went on to something else, even though there was still one unit not done. We did Science about 2 days a week, and Social Studies 2 days, and one day of neither. This worked well for the younger ones.

2 comments :: leave me a message :: permanent link

Friday, March 31, 2006 -
"Homeschooling Methods" book review

... Posted in Product reviews

When I started looking through this book, I honestly wondered just how I could write a review on the entire book. After all, there are 8 different methods, stuff to do in the car, plus a section on special needs. Most of the methods seemed far removed from how hs'ing is done in our home, and we don't have any special needs children.

I first turned to the section on the Traditional Textbook Method-- it seemed the most relavent-- but I changed my mind and started reading it cover to cover. Surprise!!! I found bits and pieces of me in every chapter-- even the one on special needs.

It's surprising how over the years so many ideas and philosophies have woven into the fabric of our family. I was totally unaware that these even had names! I've long considered myself "eclectic" but had no idea just how eclectic we were.

In short, Homeschooling Methods was well worth reading. It gave me insight into what we're already doing, and the encouragment to try some things we're not. It showed me where I've been, and marked the path ahead. It strengthened my convictions, and gave me fresh perspective on some ideas I'd previously dismissed.

We've been hs'ing for 9 years now-- over 13 if you count from birth-- and I honestly think you have to go back occasionally and re-evaluate what you're doing and why. Circumstances change, resources change, kids change, and you change. The method that might've been most convenient starting out might now be just comfortable.... and not neccessarily the most beneficial. You owe it to yourself and your family to check out your options and maybe try something new. If you are finding that you're feeling burnt-out, remember, "a change is as good as a rest." This book might be what you need to find a change that'll work.

0 comments :: leave me a message :: permanent link

Thursday, March 23, 2006 -
Follow up on Jesus & The Esther doll

... Posted in Product reviews

Follw-up on the Jesus doll: He still has all his parts, his clothes are getting a little dirty, and the kids still love playing with him. However, the people I showed him to and asked for their opinions all pretty much said the same things I wrote about in the original review.

Josh at one2believe was very kind and sent me an Esther doll too! She's pretty, but not quite what I expected from the pictures on the Messengers of Faith website. She has long black hair, pretty brown eyes, and a regal bearing. I do like her, but as with the Jesus doll, the batteries are going to go missing right quick. She has that same ability as the other dolls in the series to say a bunch a Bible verses, but I have to say that her voice isn't exactly.. ummm... feminine.... and her right sandal keeps falling off. I think I'll take my friend Jessica's suggestion and hot glue it on.

I took her to Bible study last night, and all the little girls (and a few of the little boys) were fascinated with her. A couple of them suggested she needs her hair washed...lol... it has a sort of greasy feel to it (but it is shiny!). And one asked me if I got another one, could she please have it? She's such a little sweetie. And one of my kids think she needs a crown-- she was a queen, after all!!!

And I don't feel all weird about her like I do about the Jesus doll.

Esther is pretty cool. I think she's going to get a lot of play value around here.

0 comments :: leave me a message :: permanent link

Saturday, February 25, 2006 -
:: Jesus doll ::

... Posted in Product reviews

A couple of weeks ago when JenIG and Gena were having their contest wars, I was picked as one of the reviewers for the Messengers of Faith dolls. I figured, "How hard could it be?" (HA!) and eagerly anticipated my doll's arrival. Well, it came yesterday, and here is my "preliminary report"... or I guess you could say, "Review, part 1." I plan on writing a follow-up after our church family has had a chance to take a look-see.

The doll I was sent is Jesus and the first thing I noticed (and I am a nit-picky sort) is that he has blue eyes. Clear, piercing blue eyes. This bothers me since it would seem that as a Jew, coming from the Middle East, blue eyes would be highly unlikely. It would have made our Lord and Saviour stand out from the crowd, and the Bible tells us he didn't (check out Isaiah 53:2).I also have to admit that I am somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of a Jesus doll in the first place. Maybe it's that "graven image" thing. There are several other dolls offered by Messengers of Faith, and I don't think I'd feel the same way about them. There's just something about seeing Jesus as molded plastic that doesn't sit well with me. However, I can see the value in it as a teaching tool.

Something that is cool (and annoying at the same time) is the integrated voice-chip technology-- press the button on his back to hear one of six different Bible verses. I would prefer to hear them in KJV as opposed to NIV, but that's a whole 'nother blog entry. Either way, I have already threatened to remove the batteries. Which brings me to my next point.

My kids love this doll. No fewer than 6 Beanie Babies and a Barbie got saved last night... lol The kids like the moveable limbs, and are fascinated with the "Bible clothes." I have fielded such thought-provoking questions as "Did Jesus pick his nose?" (the fingers also move, thus inspiring that particular question-- and I have yet to research the answer) These dolls do have play value, in fact, the kids were near tears when I wanted the doll back to look over as I was writing this. But... at the $24.99 USD price tag, it might be beyond most families' budgets. Of those who would choose only one, they would probably be more likely to choose Mary or Esther (who is especially pretty) as an alternative to Barbie.

For children's ministries it might be more practical if sets were offered at special pricing-- and maybe they are, I don't know. What I do know is that more churches might look at them if there was a choice in Bible version (particularly KJV).

As a teaching tool, I can see many ways this product could be used to impart Biblical truths-- through "doll skits," demonstations, even the simple act of putting him back in the box (honestly, how often do we as Christians "put Jesus aside" when it's convenient?). My kids, as I mentioned already, played out their toys getting saved-- showing knowledge of what salvation is. Tonight, my two youngest children trusted Jesus Christ (not the doll, the real one) as their personal Saviour. Did the doll help? Who knows. At the very least, it helped us gain insight to where those little girls were in their understanding, just by listening to their play.

Included with the doll are a booklet that tells about Jesus's life and resurrection, a promotional DVD (haven't looked at that yet), and a 12x14cm card that outlines the Plan of Salvation complete with scripture references. So, basically, while I do have some reservations about the appropriateness of a Jesus doll, it's a fun product for kids, and seems well-made (a month or two of steady playing will really tell the story on that one).

5 comments :: leave me a message :: permanent link