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Catherine Love ~ from my heart and home~
Dec. 19, 2009
It's over!
I've finished the course. I've run the race and now, after 2-1/2 years, I've graduated!
Now, I can get back to my real life! I'm happy to be back on Homeschool Blogger and look forward to interacting with everyone again. |
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Dec. 18, 2009
It's here, it's here!!
I am so excited! I have been looking forward to the day when I could order this book. I've heard it is the quintessential book on homeschooling in high school ... especially if you prefer a relaxed method of homeschooling. Every time I've asked about record keeping, planning courses, how much I can personalize a high school education ... someone would say "You need to read this book."
What book am I so excited about? Barbara Edtl Shelton's book, Senior High: A Home-Designed Form+U+La. I was able to order it recently, when I ordered some new grammar books and math workbooks for the kids. I'm looking forward to reading it, and learning from it.
Trusting In Him,
April |
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Dec. 18, 2009
Maestro Classics: Stories in Music
One of my favorite parts of music class each year was the day we got to listen to Peter and the Wolf on record, or watch the cartoon version of it. I love that musical story, and never grew tired of it. Maestro Classics has continued to develop that art form of the musical story. Stephen Simon and Bonnie Ward Simon have created 8 Stories In Music CDs, including some with original music:
- Tortoise And The Hare
- Peter and the Wolf
- The Story of Swan Lake
- The Sorcerer's Apprentice
- Casey at the Bat
- Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
- Juanita the Spanish Lobster
- Juanita la longosta espanola
We received The Tortoise And The Hare, which was recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The music was composed and conducted by Stephen Simon, the story was adapted by Bonnie Ward Simon, and it was narrated by Yadu. The CD came with an educational booklet that included information about music, instruments, sheet music, background information, and three puzzles.
The CD itself contains 7 tracks:
- musical version of The Tortoise and the Hare
- information about the story
- a fun song, "Pretzel Vendor of Paris"
- information about the music
- the story of The Tortoise and the Hare repeated (now that you know a little more)
- prepare to perform
- accompaniment track for sing-along
We listened to The Tortoise and The Hare in the car one weekend. I thought the story was a charming and witty adaptation of the classic Aesop's fable -- a fun way to add music appreciation into our homeschool. The children all listened, and seemed to be enjoying it. When I asked them their opinion later, the 8 year old said it was "okay" and he "sort of liked it". But then he did tell me how he liked the Pretzel Vendor of Paris song, and a few other things. My 3 year old enjoyed the story portion, although she was too young to understand the music education portions. My 14 year old daughter enjoyed learning how the composer created the music for the story. But, this is not something they'll be begging to listen to on future car trips.
This particular story was a little young for most of my children, but I enjoyed the CD and would like to hear more of the Maestro Classics CDs. I think they'd enjoy some of the other stories more. My sons would like Casey at the Bat or Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, and my daughters would probably enjoy The Story of Swan Lake.
Maestro Classics CDs retail for $16.98, or you can purchase a 3-CD set for $45.00. A few of the CDs also come with story books in a gift set for $24.99.
This item was provided free for our review as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. We received no other compensation, and this review is our honest opinion. Click the TOS Homeschool Crew banner at the top to read more reviews on this product by other Homeschool Crew members.
Trusting In Him,
April |
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Dec. 16, 2009
God speaks to us, as we lead our children
Sometimes we have to teach our children lessons we're still struggling to accept. At the moment, there is politically-motivated injustice affecting some of our loved ones. This situation ripples throughout our extended family, and we are all angry and hurting.
Tonight I was particularly angry. I was praying that God would bring justice and vengeance for my loved ones. I was trying to think of ways to retaliate, to speak out about this injustice and the impure motives of those involved. I ceased praying to ponder different avenues of confronting the political attackers, from my distant location. The Holy Spirit began to convict me of my anger and my desire for vengeance.
I began to argue with the Lord over whether my anger was allowable and my plotting to try to expose the injustice was right. I knew that my heart at that moment was wrong, but I didn't want to be forgiving. I didn't want to let God dole out justice and vengeance in His timing.
Later, I briefly explained the situation to my children. Their anger rose, and they began to spew out their anger, hateful comments, and threats of vengeance. As they each called out their angry wishes for the "bad guys", I realized that their comments echoed my own ... albeit in a less mature way. Yet hearing them come from the mouths of my children, I knew I had to confront them.
I spoke with my children about forgiveness, praying for our enemies, letting God take vengeance, trusting in God even in times of injustice. I reminded them to pray for our loved ones, pray for justice, pray for truth to be revealed, and pray for comfort. I told my 8 year old to pray, not to worry. He asked if it was okay to pray those people would get saved. I assured him it was.
In speaking God's truth to my own children, my own heart was soothed. "God knew about this before it ever happened. God isn't surprised by this. God is still in charge."
Our hearts still hurt for our loved ones. We are still indignant for them. But I will strive to be an example to my children of Godly behavior, even in injustice.
Trusting In Him,
April |
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Dec. 16, 2009
3P Learning: Mathletics
My 12 year old was thrilled when she was finally offered the chance to review an online math program. Once she spent a day on Mathletics, she was even more excited ... and my other children were definitely jealous!
Mathletics allows children (grades K - 8) to compete with other children world-wide in the Live Math Challenge. It also allows parents to assign practice problems in specific math areas: adding fractions, simplifying fractions, multiplying fractions, etc. When a parent assigns math problems, the children can't proceed to Live Mathletics until the assigned sections are completed. As children progress, parents can move them up or down a grade level (up to 6 changes per year).
Children earn points as they complete the assignments, take tests, and play the live math challenge. Their weekly goal is 1000 points, and parents receive weekly updates on their student's progress. As the student earns points, they are able to purchase backgrounds and outfits to personalize their avatar.
Mathletics has a brochure for homeschoolers that is available on their website (when it will open). If you click on "About Mathletics", then click on "How To Get The Most Out Of Mathletics", there are also some brief recommendations on how to use Mathletics with your children.
3P Learning is also the creator of two free web-events: World Math Day and American Math Challenge. These events are open to anyone, whether they are Mathletics members, or not. We began our trial review of Mathletics right before the American Math Challenge started. My 7th grader participated in the American Math Challenge and enjoyed it very much.
My daughter enjoyed her Mathletics subscription immensely, asking to practice on it daily, eager to meet her goal for the week. She was driven to improve her speed and meet her goals. Her opinion is that "Mathletics Rocks!"
I do not consider Mathletics a substitute for a full math curriculum. It does provide a fun way to practice, and improve math skills, but I think students will still need a structured math curriculum as a foundation. Mathletics is the icing on the cake, making math drill fun. I consider this a supplemental math product.
As a subscription, this is not a re-usable product at all. Each subscription is for one child, for one year. Subscriptions are currently $59 (down from $99), with a ten day money-back guarantee. If you enter the Human Calculator's favorite number into the appropriate spot (hint: it's 9) you can save $9.05 and buy a single child annual subscription for $49.95.
This is a great website, and my daughter loved it. But it's not something we can afford to add to our homeschool at this time. Unfortunately, supplemental consumable math products, at $59 per child for a year, are just not in our budget ... especially with 4 children in the age range for the product.
This item was provided free for our review as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. We received no other compensation, and this review is our honest opinion. Click the TOS Homeschool Crew banner at the top to read more reviews on this product by other Homeschool Crew members.
Trusting In Him,
April |
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