Science Weekly - Another I've Got A Secret Post Mood: caffeinated Topic: Homeschool Product Review
Now, I'm pretty sure that I've never revealed this secret before so this one will be totally new to all of you. Here goes:
I was never much good in science!
Math I was pretty good at - I guess math is considered a science - but I wasn't overly good in things like Earth Science, Biology, Physical Science, Chemistry, etc. Oh, I liked them all right, I guess. I had an excellent Biology teacher. Dr. Tubbs was awesome and I liked dissecting, so I guess that was probably my best year. I got okay grades because I volunteered for extra credit experiments a lot but I really didn't understand what I was doing a lot of the time.
It's really not been until my adult life that I have gotten more interested in science. That has it's pros and cons when it comes to homeschooling. I know that it is important and want my kids to succeed, but since I wasn't really interested when I was younger, I don't know what to look for in a good science curriculum. I found something that worked great with John Allen, but wasn't a good fit for Joshua. So I've stumbled around pulling things from here and there and using this or that unit study/lapbook. So, when I was chosen to review Science Weekly, I was excited to try something and see if it was a good fit for him. I wasn't disappointed.
The people from Science Weekly generously sent us a whole set of all of the levels of mail-outs for one issue including the teachers addition that covers all levels. That's one thing that I like about this every other week newspaper. Every level talks about the same thing but the older the grade the more advanced the subject matter is. So, if you want to order multiple subscriptions for your different aged kids in grades K-6 then they will all be studying the same thing. But, that's only one thing I like about this great newspaper.
Another thing I love is the very easy to understand way that the authors explain things. The other day I had read over the level that I wanted to use with Joshua but I hadn't shown it to him yet. It talked about fractions. While we were riding in the car I decided to begin to explain to him about fractions using the same language that was used in Science Weekly. Joshua had never studied fractions until now, but understood the concept almost immediately just by what I was explaining to him. Later on when I showed him the Science Weekly newspaper it reinforced what we had been talking about even more. I was amazed.
Each issue of Science Weekly, no matter what level, has the front page, main explanation section, and also has a math section, vocabulary section, weekly lab section (using simple things found around the house) and a "Writing in Science" section. Each section, although titled the same, is geared to the different level learner. There are also two or three sections that are exclusive to that different age group. For example, Joshua's level had a "Challenge" section and a "Bring it Home" section that was geared toward his grade.
The Teaching Notes section is separate from the regular newspaper and has all of the teaching notes, instructions, and answer keys to all of the levels. Everything is well laid out and easy to follow.
A couple of small caveats. Science Weekly is mainly used in classrooms, so the language is classroom language, especially in the Teacher Helps. It will say things like, "We suggest you do this after recess" or something like that. It sometimes can get a little humorous when your child reads that his teacher will provide him with supplies for this experiment and to share with his classmates. Homeschooler's, however, are used to that. Another thing - although I didn't see much talk of evolution in anything that I read online or in any of the materials that were sent to me, Science Weekly does not tout itself as a Christian company, so I can't promise that it would never show up. However, when and if it does, it would be a great opportunity to discuss what you believe with your children.
Okay, you may be thinking that it's called Science Weekly, but only comes about every other week. Well, that is true, but the Science Weekly website has a lot of really neat things that will keep your child busy during the off weeks as well. There are six free science coloring books that you can print out and use, and there are also five interactive Science Weekly issues where you can complete the activities directly on the computer, or print out to use if you would like. There's even a free trial issue that you can print to see what this fantastic four page newspaper is all about.
So, what are you waiting for? Get on the site by clicking here or on any one of the hi-lighted links above and begin boning up on your science - I mean your kid's science - I mean have your kids get on to bone up on their science - oh you know what I mean! And while your on the site, don't forget to order your subscription(s). The cost is only $19.95 for each single subscriptions. Your kids will love you for it.
Other members of the TOS Homeschool Crew reviewed Science Weekly and you can find out what they had to say by clicking here. Happy Home Educating!
As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I was sent free copies of every level of Science Weekly along with the Teacher Notes in order to try out and review on my blog.
Kinderbach - Well if Joshua doesn't become a linguist, maybe a pianist! Mood: a-ok Topic: Homeschool Product Review
Last year we got to review a fantastic online piano program for Joshua called Kinderbach. Joshua loved it! So, when the opportunity came up to review it once again, we were on pins and needles hoping that we would be one of the ones chosen. When Joshua heard that we were, he was thrilled!
Kinderbach is made for pre-schoolers to get a fun introduction to the piano or keyboard. In fact all you need is a small keyboard or piano to be able to use this great program. We found, however, that this easy approach was perfect for our Joshua, who is in second grade this year but has aspergers syndrome. Since this is a very gentle approach, it is perfect for kids who may have trouble learning piano in a traditional way. Joshua has a tendency to get frustrated very easily. With this program, you can move at your own pace. If Joshua is having a good day, he can easily do one, two, three or even a whole week of lessons in one day. That may not be advisable for younger children, but since Joshua can handle more on good days then that's what we have done. On the other hand, if Joshua becomes frustrated we can simply turn it off and try again later or, even watch the same lesson over again. That is the beauty of Kinderbach! Work at your own pace.
Kinderbach is divided into six levels and each level has 10 weeks of lessons in it. So, this program can easily go for well over a year or more if you choose to repeat lessons. Each level has an accompanying downloadable workbook for your child to work in. They will use it during the lessons, so have it handy. Each week has four lessons in it, so if you miss a day there is no problem - you won't get behind. Of course, as I said before, there is no time limit. You don't have to do a lesson on a particular day. It is at your own pace.
Joshua loves the lessons. Karrie, your teacher, is in every level, but each level also introduces some colorful cartoon characters that help miss Karrie teach the lessons. A young boy named Frisco and a donkey called Dodi are introduced in the first few lessons, but along the way you will also meet Carla the Caterpillar, Edward the Eagle, Felicity the Frog, Gracie the Gorilla, Alan the Alligator and Bob the Bear. They are so famous that they each have their own web page!
The lessons start off very easily by learning such things as high and low and learning about the keys on the piano. Soon, however, you child will be learning about notes, rhythm, rests, beats, spaces, lines, proper finger placement and even Crescendo and Fortissimo! And it's all done with fun games and activities that you either play along with the video or do in your workbook.
Since last year there have been many changes to the website as well. There are is a new section with added fun worksheets if you want to print them out, and a fun song section and game section are going to be added in the near future.
This was once again a hit for Joshua and is definitely a keeper for us. How much does all of this cost? If you purchase an online membership for a whole year at once, it's just $7.99 per month. If you would rather buy it on a month to month basis, the cost is still very reasonable at $19.99. They also have physical CD's and DVD's that you can purchase. Check out the website by clicking here or on any one of the links above for bundle pricing for there physical products or to become a member online. They are also selling themed products this year like a Patriotic Songbook and a Christmas Bundle. As always, you can check out what other TOS Crew members had to say about Kinderbach by clicking here. Happy Home Educating!
As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I was given a free limited time membership to Kinderbach's online program to try out and review on my blog.
Haven't Been Very Active But... Mood: a-ok Topic: General
A new series is coming!
We just got back from the MidWest Homeschool Conference and I have a series of three or four posts about our adventures. The first will appear tomorrow and it has something to do with "The Clampetts Go To Cincinnati"!
My Son the Linguist! Another Reason not to Worry About Retirement! Mood: a-ok Topic: Homeschool Product Review
When we first began to homeschool, our oldest, was going in to fourth grade and the other two weren't in school yet. We wanted John Allen to have the best education possible. One that he couldn't get in the public school system. I did some research and found a great Latin program that was geared toward elementary kids. He liked it so much that I planned on teaching all of my kids Latin when they were old enough.
Unfortunately it was about that same time that we began noticing major problems with our middle child, Joshua, and began the process of trying to find out what was wrong. After a couple years of misdiagnoses or incomplete diagnosis we finally were thrilled to finally get to the bottom of what was was causing his difficulties. He had asperger's syndrome - which is on the autism spectrum. However, although we were relieved, we also knew that our son would never learn the same as other children his age. One of the furthest things from our mind was trying to teach him another language. That just seemed out of the question...until this year.
If you remember, about a month ago I wrote a review on a great online Spanish program that Joshua loved. Nevertheless, when we had an opportunity to review a Latin program by Classical Academic Press that was on his level, I had reservations. He loved Spanish and wanted to continue with the program that I reviewed. Could he handle Latin as well? Could he handle Latin at all? We decided to try it and find out. We were not disappointed.
Although we aren't as far in it as we had hoped because of the death of my mom and the illness of Sarah's mom, we have had a lot of fun with Song School Latin and are planning to continue with both the Spanish program and his new Latin program.
One of the biggest helps with the Spanish program was the great songs that went with the new words that he was learning. Well, sure enough, Song School Latin is true to its name. The back bone of the program is it's catchy songs. The songs, the wonderful, easy layout of the program, and the fun workbook are what has sold us on this curriculum that is geared toward Kindergarten through Second Grade students. The fact that he has loved it helped alot of course!
There is really no set number of days that you have to do this program. I will tell you that each of the 31 Chapters has three to five workbook pages that the student works with so it would be very easy to take a week for each Chapter. Every four or five chapters is a review week (seven total) and those usually have more workbook pages and could take more than a week to do. Therefore, if you wanted to work quickly and do more than one workbook page a day, you could easily complete this in about half of a school year or, if you took it at a slower pace you could use it as a whole year study.
We have been taking the first day to go over the new words (each chapter has up to five) and listening to the songs (most chapters have one but some have more). Then, throughout the rest of the week, we will listen to the song (s) again, and do one of the workbook pages. The instructors manual has copies of the workbook pages with the answers and has extra practice pages that you can copy for your student if you feel he needs more review. By the way, if you have a preference of Classical or Ecclesiastical Pronunciations, the song CD has all of the songs sung with both pronunciations. So, just click on the one that you want your child to learn!
The following video is not of my son, but this could very well be my son singing one of the catchy tunes during the day.
Each of the regular chapters has some type of matching or filling in the blank section, but they all have a place where your student can practice his printing skills by doing a "trace the dot" where they trace the new words or phrases for the chapter. They also have a really neat section that's called "Grow Your English" where your child learns what English words came from the words that they are studying in that chapter.
The review chapters have the matching and fill in the blank questions to review the previous words but also has a really fun chapter story where a familiar story is told but with some words replaced with Latin words. For some reason the three little pigs asking "Quid est tuum praenomen?" (What is your name?) and getting the answer "Meum praenomen est wolf." (My name is wolf.) struck us as funny.
As you can tell, I am really thrilled about this beginning Latin curriculum. When he is finished, Joshua will have learned over 100 Latin words that deal with such things as manners, people, pets, weather, the body and even Christmas. And, you really can't beat the price. The bundle price, where you get the Student Book and CD, the Teacher's Book and a fun matching game called the Latin Monkey Match Flashcard Game, is only $64.95. You can find out more about this and levels of Latin curriculum by clicking here or on any of the hi-lighted links above. Speaking of other levels, some of the other TOS Crew Members reviewed other levels and you can find out what they had to say by clicking here. Happy Home Educating!
As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I was sent a Student Copy (including listening CD), Teacher's Copy and a partial set of the Latin Monkey Match Flashcard Game in order to try out and review on my blog.
God's Healing Words - A First Wild Card Blog Tour Book Mood: a-ok Topic: Book Reviews
God works in mysterious ways. You may not know why things happen, but God does. You may imagine how something small will be used for His glory, but God knows.
When I first read the email from First Wild Card saying that God's Healing Words: Your pocket guide of Scriptures and prayers for health, healing, and recovery by Siloam was being offered to us for review, I felt drawn to review this book but didn't know quite why. Life has not been easy the past few years. Many things have happened that could very well be faith shakers and, although I'm not mad at God, I have had very angry spells. I thought that perhaps this was why I was drawn to this book. Perhaps I was drawn to it because I needed to be healed emotionally and learn how to recover. 'Maybe I was drawn to it because recently I have seen the great value of quoting and memorizing scriptures that pertain to a particular subject or problem area. Whatever it was, I asked to review it write away and was blessed to be chosen. I have not been disappointed. It has truly been a blessing.
The "mysterious" part of God's plan was what happened when I received the book in the mail. I just happened to be working over at "The Mission" (our ministry building) when the mail ran. I went out to get the mail, opened up the package in the mailbox and pulled out this book. When I set it down on a table inside, one of the ladies, a frequent attendee and a great help to us, saw the title and picked it up. I didn't realize that she had done this until a few days later when she asked me to do something for her. Her son-in-law is seriously ill with cancer and she was making him a photo album. She asked me if I would print out some verses about healing that she saw in "that book" that was lying on the table a few days before. She wanted to include them in the album. Just the little that she had read - and she can't read very well - had really touched her. Of course, I printed them out.
So, you see, this book has blessed not one but two families in many ways. I won't go great detail about the book. You can read all about it below. I will say, however, that it is well worth the small price. Who can really put a price on God's words anyway - healing or otherwise? Buy this book and be blessed.
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
***Special thanks to Anna Coelho Silva | Publicity Coordinator, Charisma House | Charisma Media for sending me a review copy.***
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
With more than four million books sold, Siloam is the undisputed leader in Christian health publishing with over two hundred published books. The combined experience of Siloam’s authors represents more than three hundred years of experience, research, and wealth of knowledge. Now we are pleased to offer you this inspirational book on healing.
SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:
This insightful little book provides you with what the Bible has to say about healing, allowing you to meditate on healing scriptures, and then pray for yourself and your loved ones to receive the precious promise of healing God has given us in the Bible.
Product Details:
List Price: $14.99 Hardcover: 160 pages Publisher: Siloam (March 1, 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 9781616381554 ISBN-13: 978-1616381554 ASIN: 1616381558
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
I am the Lord who heals you.
—Exodus 15:26
The three-year-old girl was asked by the reporter to tell him her father’s name. She looked bewildered, grasped her father’s hand more tightly, and then replied softly, “Daddy.” Her father—a five-star army general and highly decorated, powerfully influential man—smiled tenderly at his daughter upon hearing her response. To her young mind, he was not a man in her life with auspicious titles, honors, or even a first and last name. He was only a very special person she called “Daddy.” In that title resided all she needed in her young life: love, provision, protection, fun, security, and comfort. To others he might be “General” or “Sir”; to this little girl he was simply “Daddy.” What’s in a name? According to Webster’s dictionary, a name is a “designated distinction of a person or thing.” It describes the character, quality, status, location, and significance of whatever it is attached to. Names of persons in biblical cultures had much greater significance of meaning than they do in our modern culture. They reflected an aspect of the nature of the person. Often a child was named “prophetically” according to a defining characteristic, divine destiny, or a significant event surrounding his or her birth.
The better we know Jesus, the more we are convinced of the magnitude of His redemption! We have done nothing to deserve it, and we can do nothing to repay Him for it. [His redemption] was born in Love, cradled in Mercy, and imparted in Grace. It covers body, soul, and spirit! It touches every part of man. It permeates his will. It transforms his nature. It converts his disposition. So wonderful is it in its operation that not in doctrine, but in actuality, we are made new creations in Christ Jesus! —Charles S. Price
For example, Jacob, which means “supplanter or cheat,”2 characterized the deceitful nature of this son of Isaac who stole the birthright from his brother and tricked his father into giving him the patriarchal blessing that belonged to his twin. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel (“God rules” or “a prince of God”) after Jacob’s redemptive encounter with God.
A son of Phinehas the priest was born when the ark of the covenant was being stolen from backslidden Israel in their defeat at the hands of their enemies. The ark was the habitation for the glory of God’s presence to live among them. So his mother named the baby Ichabod, which means “no glory.” His name characterized the tragic event that occurred at the time of his birth.
Joseph was a follower of Christ whom the apostles nicknamed Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement or consolation” (Acts 4:36). He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles for those in need (v. 37). And he was the first to befriend Saul of Tarsus (later called Paul) when the other apostles were afraid of him.
Barnabas defended Saul and helped convince the churches that he had truly been converted and was no longer a danger to believers. Barnabas’s life reflected the meaning of his name; he was known for encouraging and consoling those in need.
In that same way, God reveals His character by the names He designates to Himself. His predominant name is Jehovah, which occurs more than six thousand times in the Bible.4 Jehovah signifies one supreme God and Lord, the one true God, the “existing One.”
When God told Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt, He instructed Moses to tell the people, “I AM has sent me to you” (Exod. 3:14). To our minds, “I AM” begs for a qualifier, a limiting description to follow the present tense of the “to be” verb: I am . . . what? Without that qualifier, we must understand that God has no limits; He is supreme over all—Creator, God, Lord, ruler of the universe, and a thousand other “qualifiers”
that reveal to us His character and nature.
Awesome is the only word that describes this great, infinite, all-powerful Lord God, Jehovah. As finite creatures we feel insignificant and powerless before such infinite greatness. Though God is the great I AM, without limitations, it may seem astounding that He prefers to be known to us as “Daddy.”
This revelation of God as our Father is the greatest insight we can receive into the nature of the loving heart of God. His entire premise for creating mankind, according to the Scriptures, was to have a family—sons and daughters who would learn to know Him as “Abba Father”:
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
—Romans 8:15–16, kjv
What caring parent does not suffer when they see their child in pain, sick, or distressed? Many have said they would rather be enduring what their child is enduring than to see their little one suffer. How much more does love Himself (“God is love”—1 John 4:8) suffer when He sees one of His children in distress? It stands to reason that the I AM would have a solution to the misery of His children. He desires to fill our hearts with His joy.
One of those wonderful qualifiers of I AM that God gave to His people Israel is Jehovah Rapha, which means “I am the Lord who heals you” (Exod. 15:26). Rapha’ means “to heal” in a broad sense and can refer to being the physician of men literally, as He meant it here when He first revealed His healing nature. It also refers to healing individual distresses, hurts of nations, restored favor, healing bitter waters, and any other situation that requires restoration to wholeness.
F. F. Bosworth explains the significance of the healing name of God: “Jehovah-Rapha is the name given to reveal to us our redemptive privilege of being healed. This privilege is purchased by the Atonement. . . . This is as sacred and binding on every church today as the ordinances of the Lord’s Supper and Christian baptism. Jehovah-Rapha is one of His redemptive names, sealing the covenant of healing.”7 Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. —Corrie ten Boom 8 You cannot divorce God from His names and expect to know the living God, the I AM. He is who He says He is, or He is not God. And God never changes. This principle of His unchangeableness repudiates any false claim that He is one kind of God in the Old Testament and another in the New Testament.
Rather, we understand that God’s unfolding revelation of His person, character, and nature were partially revealed in the Old Testament. God’s nature was revealed perfectly through His Son, Jesus, in the New Testament. Jesus taught His disciples that He came to reveal the Father. He said, “If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” (John 14:7).
We can only conclude that since the time God revealed Himself to Israel as Jehovah Rapha—“the Lord that heals”— He has continued to be the healer to His children. He has not changed His name. Jesus confirmed that fact by performing wonderful miracles of healing when He walked on the earth.
As our loving heavenly Father, God offers us His very nature, the divine attribute of His healing love. He cannot change His character. He declared through His prophet, “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not a human, so he does not change his mind” (Num. 23:19). Today God says to you, “I AM Jehovah Rapha—the Lord, your healer.”
Smith Wigglesworth, world-renowned British evangelist known for his powerful healing ministry, is credited with raising at least fourteen people from the dead. He and his wife founded a mission in the poor part of town and reached out to needy people all their lives. Wigglesworth’s ministry took him to many nations, where the blind would see, the deaf were healed, people came out of wheelchairs, and cancers were destroyed.
As a believer, you will receive your ultimate healing in the context of being prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (Rev. 21:2). You will be fully satisfied with the greatest intimacy with your blessed Savior that is possible. —James P. Gills, MD
Wigglesworth, known as the apostle of faith, placed all his faith in the power of the name of Jesus. In his book, Smith Wigglesworth on Healing, he tells the story of a church leader who was very ill; he was bedfast and too weak to walk. The minister sent for friends to come and pray “the prayer of faith” for him (James 5:14–15). They came and anointed him with oil according to the scriptural pattern, but nothing happened. When they left, sadly, their leader’s condition was unchanged.
Once outside, one of the six said, “There is one thing we could have done. I wish you would all go back with me and try it.” They all went back and began to whisper the name of Jesus over this clergyman. At first, nothing seemed to happen. But as they continued to whisper “Jesus,” they saw that God was beginning to work. In a few minutes, the man rose from his bed and dressed himself, completely healed. Their faith grasped the power in His name. Smith Wigglesworth exclaimed, “Oh, if people would only appreciate the power in this name, there is no telling what would happen.”
As you rejoice in the fact that healing is available in the name of God and that His desire to heal is reflected in His very nature, you can live life as a recipient of God’s covenant of healing.
Principles for Your Healing
[God’s name, Jehovah Rapha, reveals His identity as the God who heals:] I am the Lord who heals you.
—Exodus 15:26
God is not a man, so he does not lie.
—Numbers 23:19
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
—Proverbs 18:10, kjv
Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord—rejoice in his presence!
—Psalm 68:4
Promises for Your Healing
I am the Lord [Jehovah], and I do not change.
—Malachi 3:6
You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
—John 14:13–14
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
—Hebrews 13:8
Prayers for Your Healing
You are my refuge, O God, and I rejoice in You. I will sing joyful praises to You forever. Protect me, so that I will be filled with joy. I will love Your name forever!
—From Psalm 5:11
Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my body is in agony. I am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until You restore me? Return, O Lord, and rescue me. Save me because of Your unfailing love. Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my
body is in agony. I am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until You restore me? Return, O Lord, and rescue me. Save me because of Your unfailing love.
—Psalm 6:2–4
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but I will remember the name of the Lord my God. Save me, Lord: let the king hear me when I call.
—From Psalm 20:7, 9
Blessed be the name of the Lord forever and ever. Who can be compared with the Lord my God who is enthroned on high? He lifts the poor from the dirt and the needy from the garbage dump.
—From Psalm 113:2, 5, 7
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!
—Mark 10:47
Praise for Your Healing
The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake! The Lord is great in Zion, and He is exalted above all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awesome name; holy is He!
—Psalm 99:1–3, nas
I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I will praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness, for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.
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caffeinated
a-ok
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