Alef Press Biblical Hebrew a Homeschool Primer by Kim McKay Review

Curriculum Overview From Alef Press Website

Alef Press Biblical Hebrew a homeschool Primer-in these books, we will emphasize Biblical Hebrew as a tool for lifelong Bible study, worship, service, and joy. By completion of this series a student should be able to read from A Reader’s Hebrew Bible, a Bible edition that provides same-page basic definitions of words that appear less than 100 times in Scripture. The path to that point will include Biblical culture, geography, history, and worldview. A student will be additionally equipped to use Bible reference tools, understand translation issues, study Biblical words in depth, and enjoy the language with fluent reading and singing.

Since primarily Jews and seminarians have been learning Biblical Hebrew lately, available texts generally expect you either to be immersed in Jewish tradition, or to have graduate level study skills and a professor of Ancient Near Eastern linguistics to hand. The goal of this series is to make Biblical Hebrew a viable and richly rewarding option for a homeschool foreign language course. The highest hurdles are crossed by the time you finish the primer: believing it is possible and mastering a new alphabet.

The primer resources below, available now, will have you reading, writing, singing, and praising God in Hebrew. Forthcoming Biblical Hebrew volumes will take a student through high school foreign language credits to reading the Bible in Hebrew.

My Thoughts and what I love:

First of all let me say that this Hebrew Primer set in my opinion is not just for homeschoolers. It is very user friendly for anyone wanting to learn Biblical Hebrew. It definitely is homeschool friendly. Okay so you might have to be a homeschooler to really understand that. We tend to be curriculum junkies and not all curriculums are very friendly!

Homeschooling is a lot of work. The reality is that electives especially foreign language aren’t usually on the top of the to do list. Grammar, math, reading, and writing are the priority. Those subjects take up a lot of time.

That is why I love it when I can find an elective that I can open the book and teach the subject. I don’t even have to know about that subject. You get to learn something new along with the kids. Alef Bet Homeschool Primer is the above-open book and learn.

My family has been using Alef Press Biblical Hebrew a Homeschool Primer by Kim McKay for around two months now. Wow, my kids and I are really enjoying it. We have done a few different Hebrew curriculums over the last two years. Well let’s just say that those other Hebrew Curriculum is not intended for the homeschool setting. Or they assume you know what you are doing and know Hebrew already. We stuck with it and then I found a big sigh of relief in when I came across Alef Press Biblical Hebrew a Homeschool Primer.

The Teacher’s Manual is simple to understand. The explanations are clear so you won’t question what you are teaching. I like that the lessons vary from lesson to lesson. Some lessons you may have stories, supplements, and a variety. The Teachers Manual has lots of tips and suggestion and you can check your child’s work in the answer key.

Show and Tell DVD I love the Show and Tell DVD. It makes the curriculum interesting with all the different subjects and stories that are covered with in each lesson. It also goes over the sounds of the Aleph Bet Alphabet, vowels, and the vocabulary. The illustrations are gorgeous and the stories are so rich that go along with Hebrew traditions.

Student Workbook is not a bunch of unnecessary busyness. Each lesson has a short summary that covers the pronunciation of the sound and a grammar rule if there is one with that particular letter. Then you practice writing a little and a read out loud. Not every lesson is the same and I like that it has a variety.

You can download flashcards from the website-I know those dreaded flashcards but, I feel that it is very effective when you are learning Hebrew. If you want to remember all those new Aleph Bet letters, vowels, and vocabulary then you want to go here.

Music CD has many different Hebrew traditional songs and also the Aleph Bet song. They are sung slowly so you can hear the words clearly of the song and you can join in easily. Not only are you getting Biblical Hebrew but music! Okay so I may be stretching it. The songs are beautiful.

Jonah Workbook is the whole book of Jonah in Hebrew. This in my opinion could be used as a reader also. Writing is an awesome way to enforce those skills in Hebrew.

Cons:

*Jonah copybook has small spaces for writing. Personally, I would love to see it just a tad bigger. I would not recommend this book for younger kids unless they have a fair amount of Hebrew knowledge as you can use it for a reader or for writing a few words for extra practice.

*I hate junk mail but when I do add my name to a list its because I am interested in something. I would like something on the website that I can add my email so I know when the next series comes out. Some kind of update on what is coming up in the future with Alef Press. I don’t have time to keep checking out the website all the time! Kim said," that she can put you on an update list and email you when the new series is available." Go here if you are interested in being added to the list. She informed me you won't get a bunch of junk mail from Alef Press.

*I would love some suggestions on how to use some of the supplements like the Trail Guide to Bible Geography, Drive Thru History, and the other resources. Can they be tied together with certain lessons? Okay this curriculum has spoiled me and I want my cake and icing! That may be wishful thinking but it doesn’t hurt to suggest it!

*Complete Primer Set: Primer, Teacher's Guide, music CD, DVD set, and Jonah Copybook: $107.80. This is a con and pro as it is pricey but you also get a lot for your money. The curriculum is well thought out. You are paying for something that is simplified. Trust me as I have spent some money on Hebrew curriculum!

* You need to buy a student workbook for each student as it has a copyright not to reproduce it.

All of those cons are pretty small on my end as this is a wonderful, well thought out, open and go, fun, and amazing curriculum.

What a wonderful way to teach your kids and yourself a lifelong study tool when it comes to Gods word. Reading His Word in Hebrew is truly life changing. I want my kids to experience God’s Word in His language and not man’s transliteration.

Disclaimer: This curriculum is attended for ages 9 and up, the author really intending them for Jr. high and high school. A family that uses Hebrew already may be able to use them very well with younger kids, but they are not aimed at most elementary students.

Please keep in mind that my children already know the basics and are ready for reading Biblical Hebrew. They need lots of practice still. Especially Bug who needs extra work in some areas. Little Man has started putting together words with Hebrew with and without out the vowels. Both of my children already know lots of vocabulary due to us hearing it in our Synagogue and from us teaching them those words. 

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book from Alef Press for free in order to write this review. All thoughts and opinions are mine and were not subject to editing from the publisher.

A Day At the Nature Center

Yesterday we had a fun day at the nature center with some friends. The weather was perfect for a walk on the trails.

 How can you not go Bug hunting with all the tall grass on the prairie.

 

 Our big catch of the day was this Velvet Ant. Little Man spotted it. This insect is not actually an ant. Its a wasp with a painful sting.

Always the clown.

The nature center has an indoor museum. 

We fed the turtles.

The Great White Egret

Ducks

Geese

Lots of Goslins

Summer break is officially here. I look forward to strolls in the park, visiting with friends, and just slowing down the pace a bit.  

NIV Real Life Devotional Bible for Women, Insights for Everyday Life Bible Review

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!

Today's Wild Card Insight Notes author is:

Lysa TerKeurst

and the book:

NIV Real Life Devotional Bible for Women,
Insights for Everyday Life Notes

Zondervan; Special edition (March 19, 2013)

***Special thanks to Rick Roberson for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lysa TerKeurst is a New York Times bestselling author and national speaker who helps everyday women live an adventure of faith. She is the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, author of 15 books, and encourages nearly 500,000 women worldwide through a daily online devotional. Her remarkable life story has captured audiences across America, including appearances on Oprah and Good Morning America. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and five children.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

This Bible will help you live up to your God-given potential. Insightful daily devotions written by the women at Proverbs 31 Ministries help you maintain life's balance in spite of today's hectic pace. Dive into the beauty and clarity of the NIV Bible text paired with daily devotions crafted by women just like you---women who want to live authentically and fully grounded in the Word of God.

Product Details:
List Price: $34.99
Hardcover: 1536 pages
Publisher: Zondervan; Special edition (March 19, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310439361
ISBN-13: 978-0310439363

AND NOW...SOME SAMPLE PAGES (CLICK ON PAGES TO ENLARGE):

My Thoughts:

This Bible is a hardbound edition with a beautiful dustcover. The actual book cover is also imprinted with the same design. The devotions are written by several members from the Proverbs 31 ministries.

This is an NIV translation of the Bible. There are 366 short daily devotions that deal with various heart to heart issues that are close to a woman's heart. The devotions are numbered by day. At the bottom of each devotional you have additional scriptures that are related to the subject for further reading. The devotions have a note at the bottom of the page leading you to the next devotion. Also in the back of the Bible in the subject index you can look up the devotion by a specific topic, or author. You don't have to follow the devotion by day you can easily make it fit into your spiritual needs at any given time.

What I like about this Bible is that the devotions are written for women, by women, and the backgrounds of each woman are varied enough that you should be able to find one or two authors you can relate to. Each woman has a short bio about themselves in the back of the bible. Each woman also has a blog that if you are encouraged by a particular person you can follow their ministry by their blogs.

  

This is a nice Bible for all women and also would make a great gift for a mother, wife, or daughter.

 This book has been provided to me my by First WildCard free of charge and in no way was I asked to give a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
 

Native American Indian Bag Craft

Last week the kids made a Native American Indian Bag Craft. 

 This is a craft kit that I picked up at Hobby Lobby for around $5.00. This was definitely a craft I had to do a lot of it. The sewing is quite a bit. That is okay they kids loved helping with it. The bag is actually real sturdy.

 Little Man is thinking of all the stuff he can carry in his new pouch!

 Bug is more interested in trying to figure out how to make it more girly!

Our School Year is Complete

We finished school this week. I know I haven't been posting much lately about school and other things. I was looking over my blog and the only thing I have been doing is book reviews.

I honestly haven't had the time for anything else. I have a few things that I am going to share in a few weeks. So stay tuned!

I am glad that this school year is over. I have had a tough one this year. I am not even going to do too much this summer with the kids. I need a break for myself. I need to take the summer and care for myself.

I have been sick a lot this year and my surgery last summer really slowed me down this last year. I am just now starting to get my strength and stamina back. That on top of all of Bug's medical stuff and and endless appointments has left me feeling burnt out all year. 

I just ended my seventh year of homeschooling. It doesn't seem possible! I wouldn't trade those seven years for nothing. It has been such a joy teaching my children. My time spent with my kids has been precious and worth all the time and effort that I have put into the school year.

The reality is that we are all going to come to those years that you seem like you are in a valley looking up and wanting it to end. I have kind of felt like a child counting the days when it would be over this year. 

I am proud of my kids for completing all that they have this year. Even when mom was sick and laying on the couch they accomplished what was needed to be done. They surprised me and I watched them mature in ways I couldn't of imagined. I am thankful for this valley as it gave my children an opportunity to grow in ways that they couldn't have if it wasn't for me being sick a lot this last year. It reminds me of a scripture verse:    

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
  
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Truly God has blessed me in many ways this last year. Take a moment to reflect on the last year. Even if things didn't go the way you planned remember that it is okay.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

Have a blessed day!   

The NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women

Every woman faces challenges that only another woman can understand. In a culture that is oftentimes antagonistic to biblical values, Christian women are desperate for a daily dose of spiritual reality and a focused time for critical thinking and reflection. The NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women is the consummate aid to help a woman gain divine perspective in her quiet moments alone with God. Mature Christians will applaud the depth and character of the devotional content while novices may use the new Bible to institute a fresh start or mark a new beginning in their lives.

Q & A with Lysa TerKeurst and Glynnis Whitwer What was the motivation for the Real Life Devotional Bible for Women and how did it come about? While our devotions subscriptions have steadily grown since we started them in 2003, in the past few years we’ve seen phenomenal growth.  We believe this is because we’ve identified and focused on what makes our writing unique – which is our commitment to being transparent with our struggles while introducing the hope and power of God’s Word to make a difference in our lives. Although our devotions are based on specific verses in the Bible, we believe their impact will be exponentially increased when nestled in the books of the Bible.  Readers will immerse themselves in the context of the devotional verse and grasp a greater vision for God’s heart and purpose for them.   What makes this bible distinctive from other devotional bibles? We know what it’s like to struggle in our marriages, as mothers and in the workplace.  And rather than give advice on the right way to solve problems, or set ourselves up as experts, we’d rather pull up a kitchen chair, grab a cup of coffee and enter into our readers’ lives as a friend.  That’s the feel of the devotions you’ll find in this Bible.   It’s one mom sharing with another how she overcame her feelings of inadequacy.  It’s one wife confessing to another how she overcame resentment of her husband. It’s one friend telling another how God helped her stop gossiping.  This devotional Bible is filled with real women writing about everyday issues – but always pointing to the extraordinary God who brings hope, comfort and healing in the midst of our struggles. How do you see the bible best being used? Women will enjoy using this Bible as part of their personal devotion time and we hope it encourages women to read more of the Bible for themselves.  It can also be used as a launching pad for small group discussions.  Also, women who are teachers can use the devotions as examples in their own ministry. Are the devotions geared more to the mature believer or the new Christian? We eliminate insider language so a woman who has never set foot in a church will understand the message of our devotions.  And yet, the themes and biblical truths are deep enough that a mature believer will be challenged.  Both new and mature believers will enjoy this devotional Bible because we deal with issues specific to women - and churches don’t always address those types of issues.  For example, how often do churches talk about a wife losing her sexual desire for her husband?  What are some of the particular issues or challenges for women that are addressed? How to not be offended by a friend, how to have greater intimacy with your husband, how to weather the storms of life, how to stop gossiping, how to pray for your children, how to control your words, dealing with hormones, discovering who we are in the midst of parenting, overcoming the shame of our pasts Are all of the devotions related to the Proverbs 31 passage? No.  The devotions are based on verses from Genesis to Revelation. How much of what is shared in the devotions come from your own personal experiences “in the trenches of life”? Our greatest lessons come from what God is doing in our own lives.  We are just ordinary women who share the vulnerable spots in our lives and invite another to walk along side us.  We’re willing to share our mistakes, our regrets, and our pain so we can point others to our Source of our help and hope.  In doing so, we find purpose in the hard things we’ve experienced.  2 Corinthians 2:3-4 says it well: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”  (2 Corinthians 2:3-4 NIV) www.proverbs31.org

Glynnis Whitwer is on staff with Proverbs 31 Ministries as Executive Director of Communications. She is one of the writers of Encouragement for Today, the Proverbs 31 e-mail devotions, with over 600,000 daily readers, and served as the general editor for the new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible featuring 366 Proverbs 31 Ministries’ devotions.  She is the author of I Used to be So Organized, When Your Child Hurts, and work@home: A Practical Guide for Women Who Want to Work from Home.  She is also co-author of a Bible studies series entitled Kingdom Living. Glynnis has a degree in Journalism and Public Relations from Arizona State University and worked as a PR writer before joining the staff of Proverbs 31 Ministries 14 years ago.  Glynnis and her husband Tod live in Glendale, Arizona.  They have five children, ranging from mid-teens to early 20s.  She blogs regularly at www.GlynnisWhitwer.com.

NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women: Insights for Everyday Life by Lysa TerKeurst Zondervan Release Date: 03/19/2013 Price: $34.99 ISBN 13: 9780310439363   UPC: 025986439361

The Guardian by Beverly Lewis Book Review

 
ABOUT THE BOOK

When schoolteacher Jodi Winfield goes for a morning run, the last thing she expects is to find a disheveled little girl all alone on the side of the Pennsylvania road, clad only in her undergarments, her chubby cheeks streaked with tears. Jodi takes the preschooler home with her, intending to find out where she belongs. But Jodi is mystified when no one seems to know of a missing child, and the girl herself is no help, since she can’t speak a word of English. It’s as if the child appeared out of nowhere.

As the days pass, Jodi becomes increasingly attached to the mysterious girl, yet she is no closer to learning her identity. Then an unexpected opportunity brings Jodi to Hickory Hollow–and into the cloistered world of the Lancaster Old Order Amish. Might the answers lie there?

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beverly’s first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, The Heritage of Lancaster County, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman drawn to the modern world by secrets from her past. The book is loosely based on the author’s maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly’s work to be “a primer on Lancaster County folklore” and offers “an insider’s view of Amish life.”

Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Beverly’s tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, “Beverly’s books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don’t run across writing like that every day. I hope she’ll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time.”

A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and spending time with their family. They are also avid musicians and fiction “book worms.”

My thoughts: 

This is the fourth installment of the Home to Hickory Hollow series which comes out this fall, “The Secret Keeper”.  You do not need to read the previous two books in the series; you will be able to jump right into this story without reading the other books in the series. 

Beverly Lewis has always been one of my favorite Amish writers. She knows how to capture your imagination and trows you into the plot. This story will inspire you in your faith as you see the characters deal with real life situations that anyone can struggle with.

I enjoyed Maryanna Esh’s character and her daughter Sarah. Sarah had a lot of spunk and personality. She was heartwarming from the start of the story.

Jodi Winfield is grieving over the loss of her sister. She has walked away from the Lord. Her fiancé wants children after they marry but that is not what they agreed upon when they first got engaged.  Now Jody struggles with how that will affect their relationship.

Jodi and Maryanna find companionship with one another and learn to let go of the past so they can move forward and let God guide their lives.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I do most of Lewis's books. Although this book wasn't my favorite of Lewis' books, it was still a good book. The only downfall of this book is the ending of the book it seemed like it wasn’t complete and it ended too quickly without filling in certain aspects of the story. Other than that, the book  I would certainly recommend it to others.

This book has been provided to me my by Bethany House Publisher free of charge and in no way was I asked to give a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.