
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Welcome to the world, Malcolm!

Product Review: Classical Academic Press: Latin for Children

I was lucky enough to receive Latin for Children Primer A Mastery Bundle (for students from 3rd-6th grade). Latin for Children is an engaging, incremental, & creative curriculum, designed to introduce students as young as third grade to Latin. The Primer A text, and supplemental materials, make up the first year of a three year series. It trains students in grammar, vocabulary and English derivatives in a lively, interactive way that is perfectly suited to students in the grammar stage. Even better, Latin for Children is taught directly to the child, and is a perfect choice for teachers and parent who will be learning along with their students.
This was such an amazing fit for our family. We already follow a classical approach in our homeschool, and the program was set up so that I could teach Latin to the boys. In the past Michael has taken over the Latin instruction because I have no previous experience with the language.
The materials in the Primer A Bundle were amazing! I received the Primer A Worktext which is integrated with Shurley Grammar. Shurley Grammar happens to be the English and Grammar program that we use from second grade on. I also received the Answer Key, History Reader, Activity Book, and DVD set.
The program is one of the highest quality language programs available. It does not rely on games, cartoons, or gimmicks to keep your child motivated enough to learn. It is solid instruction done in a manner that has been proven to be effective for generations. Although James has had several years of Latin instruction, the program moves so quickly and effectively that he was still able to learn new material within the review period.
In addition to Latin language programs, the company offers language programs in Greek, Spanish, and a reader in French. Logic, Bible, and Poetry are non-language subjects that the company offers materials in as well.
I am going to be very honest with you and say that I was really fortunate to receive these Latin materials because they are not cheap. If you wanted to buy the materials that I received you could purchase the Master Bundle A for $99.95. They offer a Basic Bundle A which includes just the textbook, answer key, and DVD's for $76.95. Materials can be purchased separately, but the savings are really in purchasing the bundles.
The materials may not be cheap, but the ones that I reviewed are definitely worth it. We are going to continue James' original Latin program for the remainder of this year (since we have a matter of weeks left), but are strongly considering starting this one with him again in the Fall. Even with his previous Latin exposure, this program is so thorough and the approach is so similar to our already existing homeschooling curriculum this is really a no-brainer for us. Add the fact that I can also teach James the lessons (something that I can't do with our existing curriculum) and I believe that seals the deal!
Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Homeschool Curriculum Review Group, I received these materials free of charge in exchange for an honest review on this blog. I received no other compensation.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Playing the Waiting Game
Every night I crawl into bed thinking about the possibility of having a baby by morning. Every morning I get up thinking about spending that night in a hospital room. My labors tend to be fast and I know that in the course of the day we could go from a family of six to a family of seven.
Then there is all the anxiety involved with this kind of thing. Will I be able to handle this pain once again? I never would have believed that someone could survive pain so intense. Will we make it to the hospital since once we didn't? Will the baby be healthy at birth since more than once they weren't? Will the children be okay without me here to help guide their day? Thankfully they have always been okay under this circumstance.
After all the anxiety-provoking unknowns there are the fun questions. Boy or girl? How big? Dark like the boys, or light like Margie? And what name will we choose?
My friend exclaimed yesterday that soon I will be holding a baby. Pretty much constantly. And as my heart and arms ached for this little person that we have not yet met, and that will change our lives in ways that we can not begin to imagine, I realized how truly blessed I am as a woman and a mother. I have what some women kill for. Not only once, but five times over. All of my prayers and dreams have come true without me even fully realizing that these little people in my life are what I have been wishing for all along.
Product Review: BigIQ Kids

Using online technology, the activities are constantly evolving and changing to ensure that your student stays motivated and challenged. As the parent you are able to choose free programs for your children, or premium programs. Click these links to learn the difference between free versus premium in the areas of spelling, vocabulary, mathematics, and U.S. States.
Since all the programs are available to some extent free of charge, the commitment is very minimal. Consider adding some new programs to your homeschooling day by signing up for a BigIQKids account today!
Things that we liked about the program:
*Frequent email updates about the progress of the student.*The boys really liked designing their own Big IQ Buddy.
*I liked how the boys had to 'buy' their game time using coins that they earned from completed lessons. There is even a control option that lets me turn the games to "Weekend Only."
*The boys could easily use the program without any help from me. Independent work time is always a bonus for me!
Things that didn't work for us:
*The web pages are too busy. In addition to the activity the student is completing, there are advertisements, your IQ Buddy, a computer head who directs you, sometimes a writing pad for practice, additional buttons with options... you get the point.
*As a parent, I found the website extremely difficult to work through. I had to log-on through each of my users and modify each section of the program individually. In my opinion, it would have been much easier to have a 'parent log-in' that allowed me to access all my users and have lists of the programs that I could easily and quickly click on to change the options.
*The preset levels were great for James, but not for Isaac. For example, James was timed and had to complete 50 math problems in that time to earn a game coin. Isaac was required to do the same things (at a first grade level, of course). Even though the problems were much easier, Isaac's computer skills and response time is much slower. Plus, 50 math questions in a row is a lot for a first grader. As a result, Isaac would complete the section but not gain a coin. I could modify the lesson plans, but as I stated above, workign my way through the website was difficult, confusing, and daunting.
*The kids didn't really like the "computer-head helper." They found this aspect creepy ("I hate how that head keeps staring at me!) and the montone voice disturbing.
*Overall I was glad we got to try out the program, but I found it too difficult to navigate to become a permanent part of our homeschooling curriculum.
Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Homeschool Review group, I received a free premium membership to BigIQKids in exchange for an honest review on this blog. I received no other compensation.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Product Review: ARTistic Pursuits

The books cover preschool to 12th grade and gradually increase in difficulty allowing plenty of practice for your student to master and understand concepts. I received the book:
Using colorful illustrations and works by the artists, this book tells the stories of artists from the 13th century late Gothic period to the academy artists of the 18th century. Children explore painting in watercolor, tempera, oil pastels, printmaking, sculpture with paper mache, and mixed media. It retails on the website for $42.95

Masterpieces created by my artists after Lesson 1.
In addition to the wide array of books, the company also offers art supply packs. These packs contain all the art supplies you will need to complete the program with one student. K to 2 pack that would be necessary for the book I received cost $92 plus shipping. Click here to view all the art packs for sale.

Lesson 2 masterpieces
*The lessons were fun and engaging for the students to complete. The stories inspired their imaginations, making them excited to create their own masterpiece!

Lesson 3 masterpieces


With cost being my only real (minor) complaint, I would definitely say that this is a program that we are considering adding as a permanent part of our homeschooling schedule. The ease of use, rich content, and the artistic process far outweigh the added expense of the books and quality materials.
Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS homeschool review group, I received Book 2 from ARTistic Pursuits free of charge in exchange for an honest review on this blog. I received no other compensation.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Product Review: BrillKids Aesop's Fables

These books have been created in a way intended to help your child learn the basics of reading. When words and pictures compete for a child's attention on the same page, the pictures invariably win out. Due to this, the folks over at BrillKids have separated the text and illustrations onto separate pages. The spaces have been widened between text to allow more focus on individual words. An additional feature is that there is a blank flap extension on the cover so that the illustration can be completely covered for reading instruction.
So what did my beginner reader think of the books?
Henry gave these books TWO enthusiastic thumbs up! He enjoyed the simplicity of the text and the colorful illustrations. He liked keeping the picture covered and revealing it after reading the sentence. Truthfully, Henry enjoyed discussing the colorful glossy pictures more than actually reading the text.
Henry has only been reading a short time, and struggled with some of the longer words such as: around, decides, probably, and changes. Some of the vocabulary was out of his level. Words such as "cunning" and "vain" had to be discussed in order for full comprehension to occur.
These books are not intended to be used as a stand-alone reading program, and are intended to be used with the BrillKids Little Reader program that I reviewed several months ago. Although glossy, colorful, and well-designed, I feel these books are a bit overpriced. For $37.50 you get the five storybooks pictured above, which include the titles of: "The Fox and the Grapes," "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," "The Lion and the Mouse," "The Turtle and the Rabbit," and "The Fox and the Crow." Each book is around 10 pages long and is intended for ages 3 months and older. Click here for ordering information.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Love on Assignment by Cara Lynn James
This is totally one of those guilty-pleasure books. Completely predictable from start to finish, but for some reason you just keep reading and reading and reading. Or maybe because I received the book for free for review purposes I felt I had to keep reading it. I am not a historian, but even I could notice the problems between the time period the book was set in, and the situations being discussed. And don't get me started on the use of adjectives. Or should I say over use of adjectives. It's one thing to want to paint a picture for your reader. It's another thing to paint the picture and then run it over with a large truck. Several times.
If you desire a book to read beside the pool or at the beach this summer, this might be the right match for you. It is easy to put down and pick up again after you tend to a crowd of screaming kids.
Disclaimer: As a member of Booksneeze I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review on this blog. I received no other compensation.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
My Featured Interview
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
40 Days, 40 Skirts: Day 8

Monday, March 14, 2011
40 Days, 40 Skirts: Day 7

Sunday, March 13, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Summer College Immersion Program

This summer I will be directing a program for high school students and young adults that seeks to introduce them to Catholic liberal arts education in the context of monastic prayer. This is a unique college immersion experience that I think motivated youth would value. I would appreciate any help in advertising or promoting the program, and would be happy to talk to you about any details. Here is a link for the program:
http://www.stvincent.edu/academics/summer/faithandreason
40 Days, 40 Skirts: Day 6

Friday, March 11, 2011
40 Days, 40 Skirts: Day 5

Thursday, March 10, 2011
Conversation
Me: "I don't think it is. The midwife would probably know by now if it was."
Boy: "What if it is only half a baby?"
Me: "Oh, that would be awful!"
Boy: "Let's hope it is at least the top half, and not just a bunch of legs."
Me: ???
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Our first date spot is now gone...

The downtown favorite kitty-corner from Powell's Books announced Tuesday that financial challenges and "unforeseeable family" challenges had forced their decision.
"Roccos Pizza would like to thank the public for the generous patronage and support that has afforded the opportunity for Roccos to become not only a graciously respected brand in Portland for many years, but also a landmark," a statement read.
"We again thank the Portland metropolitan community and the City of Portland for allowing us to serve them for such a generous period of time."
The colorful restaurant was a lunchtime and happy hour favorite for many who live, work and visit downtown for the past two decades.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Attention all Mothers!!!!
Adoption Encouragement
