Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive from Logic of English (Schoolhouse Review Crew)

We received the complete set of Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive for review purposes!

Product Links: Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive - Complete Set

Vendor Information Link: Logic of English

Age Appeal: ages 4 to adult

Format: The Complete Set includes 1 printed Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive Student Book, 1 Cursive Handwriting Quick Reference, 1 Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive Tactile Cards, 1 Student Whiteboard- Full Size

Price: As of May 9, 2014- $65 for the complete set

Are you struggling with your child’s current handwriting program?

Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive teaches letters with a multi-sensory approach.  The student will learn the strokes and verbally say them as they trace the letters on the tactile cards.  They will then write them in the Student Book, where there are different line sizes.  There are instructions listed for students of different ages and other ideas for handwriting practice.

Our Experience: 

B has wanted to learn a different style of cursive for sometime, so this review was perfect for him.  C wanted to try it out too.

We did not work on the lessons as described it the book, because B is a fluent reader and did not need to learn the phonograms.  He only needed to learn his letter formations.  For the swing letters (i, t, u, etc.), I give B the tactile card, then we would say the steps (long and short versions) to make the letter aloud.  He would then write the letters in his workbook.  There is the option to write different sizes of letters.  He did them all.  He wanted the practice.

The instructions state that if the student is over seven (he is ten) he/she can either write two, four, or all the letters based on one stroke per day.  Since we use a learning style that is based on short lessons, B worked for fifteen minutes per day, five days a week.

After B had finished the swing letters, he worked on the curve and loop letters on his own.  He had a difficult time with the curve stroke.  He practiced that stroke again and again on the whiteboard until he perfected it. 

He now does the steps of each letter by himself and then does them in the workbook.  He is still doing all the line sizes.  I often circle his best letters as I did in the beginning, but his letters are so uniform that it is difficult to choose which is the best.

C is really into her own cursive handwriting program, but she thought she would give this program a try.  She worked on the letters i, t, u, s, and j.  She enjoyed saying the steps and writing the letters of the Student Whiteboard.  

Mama’s Thoughts:

• The Tactile Cards were really nice.  It could be helpful for many children if they can feel the letters as they are saying the steps.  B did not actively use the cards.
• I was grateful that the program included the different strokes, like curve, role, slash, and others.  B needed it to learn how to make the curve.
• The Student Whiteboard was perfect for C’s use and for the times that B needed extra practice to learn a specific stroke.
• I am glad that a secondary student book only costs $15.  It is more cost effective for large families.
• I was very thankful for the instructions in the book.  They helped know exactly how to teach the program.
• I was so excited when I saw how diligently B worked on the lessons.  I have never seen him work this hard on handwriting lessons.  He will spend more than our allotted fifteen minutes if he is having fun and is not distracted by other things.  I feel that this program is one that he will be able to continue and grow with.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fourth grade):   

I really, really liked Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive.  I had been wanting to learn this type of handwriting for quite awhile.  I think this is a very good product if you want to learn this style.

There was only one thing I didn’t like and it is this: I think it could use a small teacher workbook, so that the teacher doesn’t have to look at the book when you are writing something.

My favorite letter was B.  This style of B is very different than other ways I have learned.  B was my favorite, because I liked the way it looked (see the photo below).

I think this product would be good for kids of all ages.

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in second grade):

It was fun to do the letters for Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive.  I did the letters i, t, u, s, and j.  I used the Student Whiteboard.  It was fun.  I liked the tactile cards.  I liked them, because it helped me to write the letters.

It is good for kids my age and older.   

Dad’s Thoughts:

Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive by Denise Eide is an interesting program using systematic phonics, phonograms, reading, spelling and handwriting to learn how to write in cursive. She breaks it down into the strokes for each letter and says that starting with cursive writing is easier than starting with printed writing. It's a different concept than what I grew up with but I have learned over the years that changing your perspective in the way you do things can have significant improvement with your results.

I see improvement with B's cursive handwriting using Denise's method. She's onto something good with Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive and I recommend you giving it a try even though it's probably not the way you were taught handwriting. Be adventurous and try something new.

Mama recommends Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive!

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Prayer of the Week! (May 10, 2014)- Ephesians 1:11-12

A couple of years ago I took part in a Bible study where we studied the book of Ephesians.  Once a week I would like to mention the Bible verses which were studied, then give you my prayer involving those verses.

Today will be Ephesians 1:11-12.

Dear Lord,

I thank you so much for being in charge.  It is hard for me though, because I am a person who likes being in charge of everything.  Please help me to yield to you, because I know it will make my life even better. 

I enjoy resting in you and knowing that you will be there for me.  Thank you so much.

In Jesus’s name.  Amen

Children’s Music from Maestro Classics (Review for the Schoolhouse Review Crew)

We received two CDs from Maestro Classics for review purposes!

Product Links: The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

Vendor Information Link: Maestro Classics

Age Appeal: Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (4+ and families)  and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (6+ and families)

Format: 1 CD per product (total playing time approximately 40-50 minutes)

Price: As of May 5, 2014 each CD is $16.98 and MP3 downloads are around $9.98

Music played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Stephen Simon and narrated by Yadu.  It could only mean one thing, Maestro Classics!

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (music by Paul Dukas and based on a poem by Goethe) includes 7 tracks with the original version, music with the story, about the music and the story, and more.  There is also a 24-page activity booklet.

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, written by Virginia Lee Burton and composed by Stephen Simon also includes 7 tracks with the music and story, about the music and author, and a sing-along.

 

Our Experience: 

Our family enjoys listening to classical music.  We have listened to Maestro Classics, My Name is Handel: The Story of Water Music and reviewed Peter and the Wolf, so we knew we would enjoy these CDs. 

As soon as the CDs came in the mail B and C wanted to listen to Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.  We sat on the couch and listened to the CD.  We spent another morning listening to The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

We also had fun working on the included 24-page booklet.  There is a section for each CD on the website which has been developed for homeschoolers and includes sections on history, science, geography, language arts, art, music, and math.  We had fun with that too.  It was a lot of fun to learn even more.

I know we will be listening and enjoying these CDs for many years to come. 

Mama’s Thoughts:

• I thought it was great that each of the CDs had the same basic programming, so we knew what to expect.
• There were two parts I really enjoyed, “About the Music” and “About the Story” or in Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel it was about the author, Virginia Lee Burton.  Those were the sections where I felt I learned the most.  I learned what instruments played what character or scene, more about Virginia Lee Burton, and the long history behind The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
• I would have enjoyed hearing the Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel orchestral arrangement without the story as it was done on The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.  The music was so fun with the Uilleann pipes, but the story took away from enjoying the music.
• The booklets that came with the CDs had fun activities like crosswords, word searches, and dot-to-dots.  There was also information about the different instruments like the Irish Uilleann pipes.
• The CDs are something people can listen to again and again.  I am looking forward  to the next time we listen.  I am sure I will learn something new.

  

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fourth grade):   

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.  This was my favorite of the two.  Why?  You might ask.  I liked this one better, because I like the story about Mike Mulligan and Mary Anne.  I did not like that it did not have the music without the words.  My favorite part about the music was the planes.  I did like the end when everything turned out well.  I also liked doing the activities in the book.  I really liked learning more about the music.  I also liked that Mary Anne dug the new town hall of Popperville in one day and they dug faster and better when more people were watching.

I liked The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.  My favorite part was “March of the Brooms.”  I thought the music went nicely with the words.  I also liked how they talked about the music and the story and how it pointed out all the special features.

Overall, I would highly recommend both CDs.

C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in second grade): 

I liked listening to the music and the stories.  It was fun to play along with the music.

I liked “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” with the music and the story.  It was fun to do the activities for Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and listen to the story.  The music was good.

I would recommend these CDs for children my age, older, and younger.   

Dad’s Thoughts:

We reviewed two stories from the Maestro's Classics children's music series, The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.  These stories by Stephen Simon, the Conductor, and played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra bring classical music for children to life.  They have won Parent's Choice Awards and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Best Audio Award.

I enjoyed how the children's music programs were put together.  First you heard the story then they explained the history behind the story and then how the music is put together.  And finally you get to listen to the story again putting everything together.  Both The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel stories were very entertaining. I especially liked that the second playing of The Sorcerer's Apprentice did not include the narration so you could listen to the music and hear all the different parts of the score which is also a dislike for Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel because the second listening still had the narration with the music.  It would have been better to leave the narration out even though the music would have been shorter.

All in all, the Maestro Classics are enjoyable, informative and just the right play length.  They also include activity booklets with the CD's which my kids found fun to do.  The Maestro Classics series is worth the investment.

Mama recommends Maestro Classics!

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Picture of the Week! (May 5, 2014)- Spring Cleaning

I just love to see a clean drawer.  I did have to put some things back in, but it is so much cleaner than it was.  I am going to do my best to make sure things stay clean.  No more clutter!

Casting the Net by Pam Rhodes (Review)

Casting the Net:

Book two of The Dunbridge Chronicles

By Pam Rhodes

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Fiction / Christian

Published by- Lion Hudson

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 256

Age Group- Adult 

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-78264-062-2

Casting the Net, book two of The Dunbridge Chronicles, by Pam Rhodes, is all about Neil's second year in Dunbridge as a curate of St. Stephen's.

As a single man he receives special attention from two women.  Wendy thinks she will make are perfect wife for him.  She is actively involved with the church.  Claire is the niece of a neighbor, a single mother, and does not believe in God.  She does not ask much from Neil.  There is also mutual chemistry between Neil and Claire, not Neil and Wendy.

Along with the single women, there is his mother, Iris, who is very domineering and the usual duties that are required of him as a curate.

Will Neil be able to reason with the women and the challenges that come from being a new curate.

Excerpt from the book!

About the Author-

Pamela Rhodes has written six other novels.  For many years she has presented the BBC’s Songs of Praise.

My thoughts-

I thought that Neil's life in the small town of Dunbridge would be quiet and peaceful.  The author, Pam Rhodes, made sure that his life in Casting the Net, was anything but that.

I have not read the other book in the series, but it was not necessary.  This book stood on its own, due to the fact that it was so well written.  Rhodes brought all of the characters and their lives into my home.  I was able to laugh, cry, and sympathize with their triumphs and tragedies.

I thought Neil's relationships with Wendy and Claire were typical relationships.  I think he was right to not to choose Wendy, because she was not his type.  I do not think he should have begun an intimate relationship with Claire until she became a believer, as it says not to in the Bible.

There are other trials he faces, but you are going to have to read the book.  I do not want to spoil it for you!

I thought this book was good.  I think you will like it.  I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Casting the Net, by Pamela Rhodes, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Prayer of the Week! (May 2, 2014)- Ephesians 1:7-10

A couple of years ago I took part in a Bible study where we studied the book of Ephesians.  Once a week I would like to mention the Bible verses which were studied, then give you my prayer involving those verses.

Today will be Ephesians 1:7-10.

Dear Lord,

Today I learned that I am totally free because of Jesus!  You have made Your plans known.  Thank you so much for that and help me to remember that. 

In Jesus’s name.  Amen

Defy the Night by Heather Munn and Lydia Munn (Review)

Defy the Night

By Heather Munn and Lydia Munn

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Fiction / Historical

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 312

Age Group- Older Teen and Adult 

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4321-3

The photos are courtesy of Heather Munn!

In Defy the Night, by Heather Munn and Lydia Munn, fifteen-year-old Magali lives in France’s “free zone.”  Life is still free for her, but food is rationed and there are many refugees in her town.  The free zone is run by the Vichy government.  The Vichy government runs their own internment camps and they allow aid workers into the camps to help the children.  They also release the children to aid workers. 

Paquerette is one of those aid workers.  She asks Magali and some of the other girls in the village to help her.  The work is very hard and Magali is not sure that she will be able to do it or keep doing it once she begins. 

How many children will she be able to save and how will others in the village accept what she does?

Excerpt from the book!

About the Authors-

Heather Munn grew up in France with her missionary parents and now lives with her husband and son in Illinois.  She went to Wheaton College where she has earned a BA in literature.  Heather wanted to be a writer since she was five-years-old.

Lydia Munn and her husband have two children, Heather, and a son, Robin.  Lydia has been church planting and Bible teaching in France since 1983.  She has a BA in literature from Wheaton and has always enjoy reading books.

My thoughts-

Heather Munn and Lydia Munn have written another wonderful book in the Refuge in the Night series (unofficial name, courtesy of Heather Munn).  I learned a lot about 1941 France and World War II when I read their latest book, Defy the Night.

What I know about World War II is basically what I learned in my grammar school textbooks, Pearl Harbor and the London Blitz.  I never knew about France with the Vichy government and their internment camps.  I now know a lot more about France and what its citizens went through during part of World War II.

The Munn’s descriptions of the interment camps and Magali’s train rides were so well written that I felt as if I were there with her, Paquerette, and the children.  I could feel their pain and I could understand their fear when the Nazis were on the train with them. 

It was certainly a time of growth for fifteen-year-old Magali.  She grew from a teenager who thought she could do no wrong to a confident, but cautious young woman.  It was also a time of growth with God.  All of the rescues that Magali, Paquerette, and the others did, would not have been possible without God’s grace.

I homeschool my children and this is definitely a book I will be having them read when they are in high school.  It was a perfect living book for the Charlotte Mason Method of teaching.  I wish I had known more about the France, the Vichy government, and the internment camps when I was taking world history.

I would highly recommend Defy the Night to anyone who is interested in World War II.  I would also recommend it to everyone else.  It is an excellent book.

Here is a link to my review from the first book, How Huge the Night.  It is also an excellent book. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Defy the Night, by Heather Munn and Lydia Munn, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.