Science for High School - Physical Science (TOS Review)

 

We recently had a chance to review Bridget Ardoin's Science for High School. Caleb and Destini have been working together using the High School Physical Science In Your Home. Now I have to admit that science is not a favorite subject in our house so I was interested to see what would happen.

 

So what is different about Science for High School versus other curriculum? Rather than reading out of a textbook and then answering questions the Science for High School is a researched based program. A student will learn research skills and also learn to time management skills.

 

The parent assigns the student work and gives a due date. During that time the student is responsible to get that assignment finished. Research can be done using a textbook, living books, or the internet. On the due date the parent and student sit down and the student tells what they have discovered. When the discussion is finished then it is time to do the lab work. Also, tests are included and it is recommended that the previous lesson's test be given before discussion of the current lesson.

 

We received High School Physical Science in Your Home which comes with a Parent's Manual and Student's Manual. The Parent Manual is a spiral bound book which includes detailed explanations of for the labs and homework. It also has all the answers to the quizzes and exams. Quizzes and exams questions are also included.

 

The Student Manual comes in a pack and is three holed punched for the student to put in their own notebook. The lab assignment sheets are included in this pack also. The have detailed instructions to guide you through the lab assignment. Topics include: weather, atmosphere, water, astronomy, simple machines, electricity, chemistry, geology, and many more. You can see the syllabus and sample pages here (scroll to bottom of page).

 

I decided to let Caleb and Destini work together on this together. Destini isn't in high school yet, but I figured she could do the work. Caleb had previously done another Physical Science curriculum which was a disaster and I thought a little review wouldn't hurt.
 

 

When I first received the program I began searching my local library for books the kids could use. I picked a few that I thought would work and also pulled out another Physical Science textbook that we had. I showed the kids how to look for the information in the book and also provided the iPad so they could look things up online.

 

I found the lab assignments relatively easy to implement. I even had success in doing them with the kids, which is saying a lot. Usually when I do a science experiment is fails. Of the ones we did everything was in the house and we could do it right then.
 

 

 

Since it is summer time I didn't give them a due date, but they averaged a lesson a week. We then would go through the questions and they would tell me what they had learned. Usually it was at this point that I discovered there were some questions that they had a hard time finding the answer. I would help them look and there were a few times I couldn't find an answer that was close to what was in the Parent Manual so I let them take their answer from there. I also let them take the test with their notes.

 

I really have mixed feeling on this program. I really liked the idea of the student researching the topic. I also liked that the length of the lessons weren't overwhelming and very doable in a weeks time. The best part for me though was the labs were easy to implement and all the labs we did I was able to just walk around the house and find what I needed.

 

My biggest struggle was finding books. I love the thought of using living or real books, but honestly they were hard to come by and the ones that we had didn't always have an answer. My kids did a lot of research, but I'm not sure how well they were understanding anything since they didn't have much basis behind their research. By the end of the review period they were looking everything up online and looking to find an answer to the question which I think defeated the author's intent.

 

It would have helped me to have a list of suggested or recommended books that could be used. The only other way I could see this working in our house is if I had quite a bit of time to research books myself and then assign reading and then let them finish the research for the questions. By the end of the review period my kids were very frustrated.

I think for my kids style of learning this just wasn't a good fit. I know research is an important skill, but when you don't really care about the subject or have anything to make it exciting it only becomes a means to an end.  That being said, I do think that Science for High School would be a great program for the science loving student or a student who finds delight in researching.

 

High School Physical Science in Your Home Manual set is available for $79.99. Extra student pages are available for $24.99.

 

 

Dig-It Games: Mayan Mysteries for iPad (TOS Reviews)

 

Though we have had our iPad for several months we haven't put many games on it, especially for the older kids. Recently we had an opportunity to review Mayan Mysteries for iPad from Dig-It Games. 

The Mayan Mysteries for iPad is a game for 5th-9th graders and it takes you on an adventure with Team Q down to Guatemala on a quest through Central America to find the mysterious looter who is stealing artifacts from the archaeological sites.

As you work through the game you learn a lot about the Mayan history, geography, and culture. Every level has a quite a bit of reading along with questions to be answered. Figuring out math problems along with doing map work is also included. You also help uncover artifacts, learn about the Mayan calendar, find hidden objects, and decipher Mayan symbols.

There are a lot of vocabulary words in the reading sections. You could tap highlighted word and find out the definition of the word and see a picture. While this was a nice and useful feature it could make the game really long if you tapped every single vocabulary word included. While the vocabulary words could help you with the questions asked about the reading section, it wasn't necessary to tap every word to complete a section.

I had originally thought this would be a great game for Chantry (11), but after playing with it for a while I decided to let Caleb (17) have a go at it first. It took him a few days to work his way through it. He seemed to enjoy it, though he found the math confusing.

I next let Chantry have a go at it. He had difficulty with all of the reading involved. Thankfully, they do provide an option to listen to the reading which did make it easier for him. He really wasn't drawn to this game. I think for him it was more work than fun.

Destini (13) wasn't interested at all in the game so I gave it a try. I will admit that I did find it a challenge. There is a lot of information about the Mayans and I think after a while I had information overload. I did find that the more I played the game the better I got at the puzzle challenges and decided I needed to brush up on my reading comprehension skills.

I don't thing any of the kids loved this game. Some of that could be due to not having an interest in the Mayan culture. If it had been about Ancient Britain we probably would have been fighting over it. Also, there are quite a few references to blood sacrifices and several 'spirit guides' come and help Team Q in their quest to find the looters.

One drawback to the game is that it is only for a single user license. Either you had to wait for a person to finish their game, pick up where they were, or start a new game. When I finished playing I didn't have any idea of how well I did compared to Caleb since his game was over with. (Since I was pretty bad I was probably better off not knowing!)

Overall, I would say Mayan Mysteries for iPad by Dig-It Games is truly an educational game. All the games included were some kind of puzzle to solve. If you are fascinated with the Mayan culture or study history during the Mayan time period, or have a child that loves puzzles and logic this would be a great enhancement to your studies.

The Mayan Mysteries for iPad is available at the iTunes store for $9.99 or as a single user license download for Mac and PCs for $21.99. You can also try the free demo here.

 

The Hidden Art of Homemaking - Clothing (Or the 'Hidden Art' of Sewing)

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The Hidden Art of Homemaking - Chapter 12
 

I entered this this jumper I made into the County Fair and won
Best in Division and Best of Show.

This chapter Mrs. Schaeffer talks about creativity in our clothing and covers quite a multitude of topics that could leave me writing for days and could even get quite controversial, so I am just going to talk about a few things.

"Is it not important that a Christian represent in his clothes, the One in whose image he is made?...Is there any reason why a child of the One who designed, created, brought forth and clothed the flowers should set out to look ugly and drab? Are we representing Him by being unattractive?" p. 186

Many years ago I realized I had some outfits in my closet that just had to go. They were only good for maybe painting, and since I don't paint there wasn't any point in owning them. I begin to take more care with the clothes that I brought into my house and to honestly ask myself if it was something I really loved or not. If not, then I didn't bring it home.

I have became more secure in "my" style rather than what the latest fashion is. I am a shirt & skirt kind of girl.  When I layer something it is usually only a sweater and that means it is winter. Also, during the winter I rely heavily on tights to keep my legs warm, but always with cute shoes.

Another thing that we do in our house is that on Sundays the kids dress up for church. I know there isn't Scripture for it, but we are trying to instill in our children a respect for God and His house. Call it old fashioned, but it hasn't hurt my kids one bit. In fact, they love to dress up for church.

All dressed up for church. Skirts made my mom.

Creativity...as, in this area of clothing, some people have their 'hidden talent', their 'hidden art' which should be expressed and fulfilled. Some people have an ability for designing, cutting, sewing, tailoring, fitting, doing handwork, embroidering, knitting and crocheting, as well as weaving cloth in the first place! - p. 187-188

Creativity, beauty and aesthetic taste are all employed in her own dressing and in the clothing of her family. p.191

The finished products give satisfaction too, both in the sheer fulfillment of accomplishment, and in the usefulness of the finished garment. p. 191-192

Mrs. Schaeffer lists a long lists of 'hidden talents' of which I can only do a few, but these are ones that I really enjoy doing. I love to sew skirts and dresses for my daughters. While others are cooking up a storm in the kitchen I would much rather be in the sewing room making something. My girls are always excited when they know the mom is making them something.  So here is just a small sampling of my creativity in this area and something I truly love to do.
 

Different skirts I've made for my girls over the last couple of years.

 

My latest creation.

 



More from this series:

Chapter 1 (The First Artist)
Chapter 2 (What is Hidden Art?)
Chapter 3 (Music)
Chapter 4 (Painting, Sketching, Sculpturing)
Chapter 5 - Part 1 (Interior Decoration)
Chapter 5 - Part 2 (Interior Decoration)
Chapter 6 (Gardens and Gardening)
Chapter 7 (Flower Arrangements)
Chapter 8 (Food)
Chapter 9 (Prose & Poetry)
Chapter 10 - Drama (Part I)
Chapter 10 - Drama (Part II)
Chapter 11 - Creative Recreation

I am linking up with Cindy at Ordo Amoris.

Classical Conversations - Prescripts Cursive Passages and Illuminations: American Documents (TOS Review)

In our homeschool my kids are required to learn cursive and one way which we use to reinforce cursive handwriting is with copy work. Recently, I was able to review a new product from Classical Conversations which combines both of these along with great content--the PreScripts Cursive Passages and Illuminations: American Documents.

 

 

The idea behind the PreScripts Cursive and Illuminations, which is for ages 9-high school, is to help a student refine their skill at cursive writing by practicing cursive writing with longer, more meaningful passages. As the student writes the longer passages it helps them gain the muscle strength to take their child's writing from functional to an art form.

The PreScripts Cursive and Illuminations book can be used as a consumable or non-consumable book. If a student is still struggling with forming their letters they can use the book and trace over the writing in the book and practice the illumination in the book. If a child knows cursive then you can challenge them by doing the passage in a separate notebook page or blank paper.

 

A unique addition to the book is the illuminations that are included. So what are illuminations?

Illumination is an art form that dates back to the classical and medieval periods, when manuscripts were written by hand and each one was treated as a valuable work of art.

The illuminations range from simple to very ornate. The focus is on initial letters, but it is suggested that the student be encouraged to experiment and give it a personal touch.

Lesson featuring a selection from William Bradford's

 Of Plymouth Plantation.

The Prescripts Cursive and Manuscript takes their copy work from American documents and speeches. There is a wide range of topics which include such things as--Christopher Columbus' "Apologia", Patrick Henry's "Liberty or Death", The Declaration of Independence, George Washington's "Farewell Address", Ronald Reagan's "Inaugural Address", plus many, many more covering a wide range of people and events.

I had Destini work through this book. Since she has a good grasp of cursive she did her cursive lesson in a spiral notebook. Though she didn't care too much for the illuminations, she did like the copy work choices that were included. Since the illuminations seemed overwhelming to her, I allowed her to take a sheet of tracing paper and trace the illumination. When she was finished she cut them out and glued them into her cursive spiral and then she would do the copy work lesson.

Destini's notebook page from the William Bradford selection.

 

I found the PreScripts Cursive and Illumination a wonderful product for reinforcing her cursive skills. Each lesson is only a page long at most. Short enough to not seem overwhelming, yet long enough to give them plenty of practice in her handwriting skills. When we start up school in the fall I will have her continue in this since I noticed some areas in her cursive writing that can be improved upon.

The best part of the PreScripts Cursive and Illuminations book is the cost. For only $12.99 you can have cursive handwriting practice and copy work covered for the whole school year. Now that is a great deal!

Are you unsure of your child continuing in cursive? I highly recommend heading over to Classical Conversations and looking at the sample of PreScripts Cursive and Illuminations and reading through the first couple of pages about "How to Use This Book". There is some great information included in there on the importance of cursive handwriting and it will also help give you a better idea of the thought behind this excellent resource.

 

 

Happy 4th of July!

The Hidden Art of Homemaking - Creative Recreation

 

 

The Hidden Art of Homemaking - Chapter 11

So what is creative recreation? Mrs. Schaeffer says it can be thought of in two ways:

Firstly, it is recreation which produces creative results, stimulates creativity, refreshes one's ideas and stirs one to 'produce'. Secondly, it is recreation which is the result of original ideas, creative because someone has creatively planned an evening, a day, an occupation which in itself is fresh and different. p. 165 



Here was one of our attempts at Nature Study.

 



I honestly didn't get very excited about this chapter since I really fail when it comes to being in nature. I do implement many of Charlotte Masons methods in our home school, but nature study is one that I just can't get excited about. I have tried to do nature study, but it seems that the weather (in other words--rain, rain, and more rain), my allergies, and having to go to nature just seem to work against us. My biggest success in nature study has been study birds through our back window which doesn't require us to go outside.

California Redwoods

 

Even though we aren't very good about enjoying nature we do occasionally plan a trip and try to go to a nearby by park and enjoy nature. Last year our family and along with my Mom and Dad went down to see the California Redwoods and then drove back home along the Oregon Coast. We have really enjoyed these times together.

Silver Falls--just a 30 minute drive from our house.

 



Since I obviously fail and one form of Creative Recreation you would think I could excel at the other, but that doesn't happen either or as least not quite in the way that it was displayed in Mrs. Schaeffer's home.

I try to encourage my kids to find creative things to do. The boys love building with Legos (yes, even the 17 year old) and my 11 year old son likes to build elaborate battles with his army men. My oldest daughter will make cards, and the youngest is always for being creative (or making a mess) anywhere whether it be toys or paper. Other times they may be working diligently making lists in notebooks. My boys especially like to make their own football team rosters or write down all kind of stats.

Caleb's built these Lego ships to represent the ships at Pearl Harbor.

 



I really feel that being outdoors or having creative evenings isn't the whole message she is trying to impress on the reader. As Mrs. Schaeffer points out:

Some sort of relaxation is needed by everyone, that seems clear. Certainly, then, part of that relaxation should equip and prepare us to be more creative in our work and lives; and part of it ought to be the result of creative ideas which are growing and multiplying all the time. p.179

I think it comes down to stepping away from life's demands. Find something that relaxes you so that you are renewed and strengthened in your creative efforts. This chapter has challenged me in a good way. Get out in nature or find something that is relaxing--not an easy thing to do, but oh, so necessary! More from this series:

Chapter 1 (The First Artist)
Chapter 2 (What is Hidden Art?)
Chapter 3 (Music)
Chapter 4 (Painting, Sketching, Sculpturing)
Chapter 5 - Part 1 (Interior Decoration)
Chapter 5 - Part 2 (Interior Decoration)
Chapter 6 (Gardens and Gardening)
Chapter 7 (Flower Arrangements)
Chapter 8 (Food)
Chapter 9 (Prose & Poetry)
Chapter 10 - Drama (Part I)
Chapter 10 - Drama (Part II)

I am linking up with Cindy at Ordo Amoris.

Summer Reading for Girls of All Ages

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Summertime makes me think of relaxation, sitting outside, and reading a pile of books! Here are some favorites reads amongst the Starr girls and a few that are big hits with the boys! Yes, I did include some books for mom since I absolutely love to read and hey, I'm a girl.

Delani's (5) recommended reads:

• Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin - Delani also enjoyed the other books in this series.
• Five Little Monkey Series by Eileen Christelow - Her two favorites are Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed and Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree.
• Curious George by H.E. Ray - For some reason this monkey is popular with boys and girls.
• Summertime in the Big Woods (My First Little House) - She has enjoyed all the books in this series.
• The Three Bears (Folk Tale Classics) by Paul Galdone - You can't go wrong with these classics folk tales. Great for boys and girls.
• Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Conner - A little bit of fluff, but a lot of fun!

Destini's (13) recommended reads:

• The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Stewart - These are Destini's favorite reads. She also enjoys the audio versions. This series is a big hit with my boys also.
• The Melendy Quartet by Elizabeth Enright - This series is a lot of fun. I highly recommend the audio versions. Another series by boys enjoyed.
• Swallows and Amazons Series by Arthur Ransome - We are currently reading aloud through this series. See what we have read here and read more about them.
• Half Magic Quartet by Edgar Eager - Yes, they have magic in them, but the magic never works out quite right which makes them fun reads.
• The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye - Not your typical princess story.
• The Penderwicks Series by Jeanne Birdsall - I liken these to Little Women meet the 21st century. Enjoyable series.

Beth's recommended reads:

• When Children Love to Learn: A Practical Application of Charlotte Mason's Philosophy for Today by Elaine Cooper - My favorite book about the Charlotte Mason method. Encouraging read.
• Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books by Tony Reinke - Another encouraging read about books. A lot of ideas for how and why to read books. 
• My Reading Life by Pat Conroy - I loved this little book. Pat Conroy give a fascinating glimpse about books that influenced his life. Please note: There is some language in this book.
• Anne of Green Gables Series by L.M. Montgomery - My all time favorite series of books!
• Carry On, Jeeves (A Jeeves and Bertie Novel) by P.G. Wodehouse - Honestly, I have enjoyed everything I've read by Wodehouse. He is my "default" author when I'm in a reading rut.
• Wives and Daugthers by Elizabeth Gaskell - I loved this story. When done reading it go and watch the film.

This is just a small sampling of what we like to read in our house. What are your favorite books for girls? Please leave me a comment and let me know.

This post is part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew Blog Cruise.