Week in Review -Week #15-16-2013-2014

I hope every one had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. We just took two days off of school for Thanksgiving. Daddy was home and so it was a good time to enjoy family and celebrate the Messiah Yeshua during the Hanukkah season.

We are in Sonlight American History Part 2

Scripture Memory verse:
Psalms 1

Bible

We are in the book of Kings:

We finished up King Solomon life and are beginning to learn about the prophet Elijah.

Read out Louds

We finished reading, "You Wouldn't Want to Work on the Railroad! A Track You'd Rather Not Go Down." by Ian Graham.

We finished reading, "If Your Name Was Changed at Ellis Island" by Ellen Levine

We started Reading, "The Great Wheel" by Robert Lawson.

We have read countless books for Hanukkah and Thanksgiving.

We are doing a unit on bridges so we read, "Bridges" by Ken Robbins and "Cross a Bridge" by Ryan Ann Hunter.

  Physical and Health Education

Little Man has had PE and Karate during the last two weeks. They have been playing kickball for PE. Little Man has really enjoyed kickball and wants mom to play it with him at home!

Therapy and Appointments

We had our fair share of all considering the holidays. Mom canceled some this last week so I can catch a breathe and finish up some much needed things around the house and a wee bit of sleep was needed for everyone.

They adjusted Bugs horse therapy earlier in the week since the weather  changed so drastically. Next week horse therapy may not happen. It looks like its going to stay in the 20's  for awhile. Bug did get to ride Honey Bee this week instead of Dixie. She was delighted to see her old friend.

History and Geograpy

We did a study on the history on the origins of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving. I like to recap the events and let the kids know why we do what we do.

Other than that the kids have learned about many different things these last two weeks. For a quick recap we studied the telegraph, first postal stamp, postal service, printing press, bridges, and I am sure I am overlooking other things we have hit on.

 What's a bridge without trucks? He was thrilled it could fit two trucks for each direction!

We had a lot of fun making our bridges. It was a simple craft and the kids thought mom was pretty cool. I found this craft on Pinterest. We are making a suspension bridge that will be done next week.

Language Arts and Math

Bug has been going over nouns, verbs, and compound words. She is also reviewing sentence structures.

She has been doing wonderful in math. She has surprised me with her accuracy and hasn't been making many mistakes. Maybe she is turning the corner in that area and I can focus on other areas in math with her.  

Little Man hates cursive and almost goes into tears when he sees the worksheet. I hope this passes quickly as this is so unlike him. He does like it when I let him do it on the iPad.

I need to make time for some addition facts for him. I haven't planned anything in our schedule lately. It's showing on the new facts. It's so hard to do those when you have so many appointments and school in varies locations. 

Little Man is learning about  verbs and when to add an "s","es" or "ed" to a verb and special verbs.

Science

Hmm- I don't know where it went these last two weeks. Yep, we didn't do any at all. I honestly love science and it's one of my favorite subjects. My kids like it just as much. Sigh!

                                                   Hebrew, Art, and Misc Studies

This has been a week of review with our Hebrew vocabulary for Little Man. He has been doing a whole lot of reading with Hebrew. I think he is going to pass mom's up and have to start teaching me. Bug is coming along with her lesson in Cap IT!. She loves all the toys that we bring out for each lesson.

For art we have been doing a few Hanukkah crafts and drawing some.

We also played a lot of the game of dreidels the last two weeks. 

 

Martyr's Fire by Sigmund Brouwer Book Review

Will this dangerous quest lead the outcast Orphan King toward an ancient secret—or to certain destruction?Posing as a beggar, Thomas escapes Magnus after fifteen men, who are calling themselves the Priests of the Holy Grail, arrive and take control of the castle through wondrous acts and apparent miracles. With the help of his longtime friend Gervaise, Thomas sets out on a journey that leads him to the ancient Holy Land. Unaware that Katherine and Hawkwood are watching over him, Thomas is tested in his beliefs and comes face to face with the ancient power that the Merlins and Druids have long been searching for.

Enter the world of Merlin’s Immortals, where ancient secrets and evil conspiracies take you on a breathless adventure of discovery, intrigue, and hidden knowledge.
 

My Thoughts:

First of all let me tell you that there are three other books in this series. This is the first book that I have read in this series and I had no problem figuring it out without reading the other books in the series.

Martyr's Fire can be read as a standalone novel. It has a lot of suspense and action throughout this young adult series. The book draws you in quickly.  I don’t think the book in itself has a lot of depth. It’s more of a short and fun take me away read.  The characters are fun and somewhat fascinating.

From the title you would not think of this as a Christian series but, I assure you that the book is clean. Lots of good and evil that make you think about God. You may be wondering about the fantasy aspect of the series as a Believer. I wouldn’t worry as the book doesn’t get into anything crazy and the author does a good job from a Christian viewpoint.

If you love a good read with lots of twist and turns throughout the pages, this book is right up your alley. There is a fourth installment of this book coming soon.

For more information go to these links:

Author’s Website 

Where to buy

Sneak Peak Chapter 1

Will this dangerous quest lead the outcast Orphan King toward an ancient secret—or to certain destruction?
 Posing as a beggar, Thomas escapes Magnus after fifteen men, who are calling themselves the Priests of the Holy Grail, arrive and take control of the castle through wondrous acts and apparent miracles. With the help of his longtime friend Gervaise, Thomas sets out on a journey that leads him to the ancient Holy Land. Unaware that Katherine and Hawkwood are watching over him, Thomas is tested in his beliefs and comes face to face with the ancient power that the Merlins and Druids have long been searching for.

Enter the world of Merlin’s Immortals, where ancient secrets and evil conspiracies take you on a breathless adventure of discovery, intrigue, and hidden knowledge.  - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400071562#sthash.OiSkF9IQ.dpuf

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

Sigmund Brouwer is the author of eighteen novels with nearly three million copies in print. His recent novel The Last Disciple was featured in Time magazine and on ABC's Good Morning America. Sigmund is married to Christian recording artist Cindy Morgan, and they and their two daughters divide their time between homes in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and Nashville, Tennessee. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/author-spotlight.php?authorid=59668#sthash.ZfiAcNVD.dpuf

Sigmund Brouwer is the author of eighteen novels with nearly three million copies in print. His recent novel The Last Disciple was featured in Time magazine and on ABC's Good Morning America. Sigmund is married to Christian recording artist Cindy Morgan, and they and their two daughters divide their time between homes in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and Nashville, Tennessee. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/author-spotlight.php?authorid=59668&view=news-videos#sthash.UCrnrxis.dp

Will this dangerous quest lead the outcast Orphan King toward an ancient secret—or to certain destruction?Posing as a beggar, Thomas escapes Magnus after fifteen men, who are calling themselves the Priests of the Holy Grail, arrive and take control of the castle through wondrous acts and apparent miracles. With the help of his longtime friend Gervaise, Thomas sets out on a journey that leads him to the ancient Holy Land. Unaware that Katherine and Hawkwood are watching over him, Thomas is tested in his beliefs and comes face to face with the ancient power that the Merlins and Druids have long been searching for.

Enter the world of Merlin’s Immortals, where ancient secrets and evil conspiracies take you on a breathless adventure of discovery, intrigue, and hidden knowledge.
 

My Thoughts:

First of all let me tell you that there are three other books in this series. This is the first book that I have read in this series and I had no problem figuring it out without reading the other books in the series.

Martyr's Fire can be read as a standalone novel. It has a lot of suspense and action throughout this young adult series. The book draws you in quickly.  I don’t think the book in itself has a lot of depth. It’s more of a short and fun take me away read.  The characters are fun and somewhat fascinating.

From the title you would not think of this as a Christian series but, I assure you that the book is clean. Lots of good and evil that make you think about God. You may be wondering about the fantasy aspect of the series as a Believer. I wouldn’t worry as the book doesn’t get into anything crazy and the author does a good job from a Christian viewpoint.

If you love a good read with lots of twist and turns throughout the pages, this book is right up your alley. There is a fourth installment of this book coming soon.

For more information go to these links:

Author’s Website 

Where to buy

Sneak Peak Chapter 1

Will this dangerous quest lead the outcast Orphan King toward an ancient secret—or to certain destruction?
 Posing as a beggar, Thomas escapes Magnus after fifteen men, who are calling themselves the Priests of the Holy Grail, arrive and take control of the castle through wondrous acts and apparent miracles. With the help of his longtime friend Gervaise, Thomas sets out on a journey that leads him to the ancient Holy Land. Unaware that Katherine and Hawkwood are watching over him, Thomas is tested in his beliefs and comes face to face with the ancient power that the Merlins and Druids have long been searching for.

Enter the world of Merlin’s Immortals, where ancient secrets and evil conspiracies take you on a breathless adventure of discovery, intrigue, and hidden knowledge.  - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400071562#sthash.OiSkF9IQ.dpuf

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

CAP IT Hebrew Reading Program Level 2 Review

 

My family has been given the opportunity to review the CAP IT Hebrew Reading Program. 

A simple, fun, and effective way to learn the Hebrew sounds! A program that is based on the latest research, develops Symbol Imagery and Phonemic Awareness, and instills a love for learning and self-esteem.

 

It uses Tactile Visual Mnemonics™ in other words it is a multi-sensory way to teach Hebrew using singing, a colorful workbook, and hands on. The Tactile Visual Mnemonics™ covers every Alef Bet and vowel you need to know to learn Hebrew.  This is a wonderful way to teach at your learning style.

Learn to Read Hebrew fully prepares adults and kids for Read Fluent Hebrew Siddur Edition Level 2.

My Thoughts:

Finding a good Hebrew curriculum at home has been a challenge. Not many programs are meant to be used in the home.(I have tried a few) They were created to use in a classroom and they assume the teacher is fluent in Hebrew. Which by no means am I fluent in Hebrew. I am still in kindergarten with my skills and that is just in the reading department. That is why I really appreciate a Hebrew program that is easy to understand that lets me teach my children at home. 

I know I said this with the last level of Cap IT! and I really want to stress it again, "I love it when I can find a curriculum that is simple to use." It’s a program that is what I call an, “open and go curriculum” in other words there is no preparing on my end. NO excuses on time restraints and preparation. Honestly you can take 10-15 minutes on each of the 44 lessons. 

Of course it helps when the program is fun. My son was so excited when I showed him Cap IT! Level 2. He was so excited to see the box of toys that are used with helping to recall the sounds. Talk about a hands on curriculum! He couldn’t wait to start Level 2. How brilliant to add toys to a Hebrew program.

I have even recalled the toys when I am reading Hebrew and it has helped me when I get stuck with a letter. For me the ק is the one I get stuck on often. Now, I see the picture in my mind and can recall the sound quickly. I am learning tricks to help myself in Hebrew while teaching my son! 

How does the program work? Visual Mnemonics™ Each letter has a sound that is associated with a picture and a toy. Each toy mnemonic the sounds in the Hebrew alphabet. An example would be Nun and the toy for that sound is a silly pair of glasses with a nose.

Step 1-Learn the sound if you don't already know the sound. We reviewed here as my son already knew the sound. I just asked him to tell me the sound once.

Step 2- Tell a story. The question is, “What do you like to smell”? (n-n-n sound) My son told me what he liked to smell while wearing the silly glasses with the nose. Which was pizza.

Step 3-Sing a song. The nose sound says n-n-n. Every sound has the same tune to a familiar song.

Step 4-Practice writing the letter while sounding out the letter. This is a wonderful way to help with the ability to visualize the sounds in your mind.

Step 5-Exercise. Read the exercise. The definitions are also included in the word bank. This is when you get to blend the new sounds with the previous learned sounds. Not only are you doing words but complete sentences.

Step 6-Writing Challenge. You get to practice writing the words that you just learned. This is a suggested as an optional activity. We didn't write them out each time we did a lesson.

Step 7-Review. This is where the, Power Cards” come in and there is 630 cards. It includes every sound, word, and sound combination you will learn with in the 44 lessons.

Pros:

*Cost is very reasonable for what you get.

*You don’t have to know any Hebrew at all to teach it!

*Multi-tactile curriculum

*Everything you need is in the box.

*For ages 5-105

*Ashkenazi & Sephardi Conversion Kit available at a reasonable price.

*Lessons are 10-15 minutes long.

*Open and go curriculum.

*High quality workbook, flashcards, and thicker pages that last multiple kids.

*Colorful and eye catching.

*It’s easy to learn Hebrew.

*It’s fun!

*There is a progress chart to see how much you are learning.

*Toys-I love toys as much as my kids do!

Cons:

*You can’t order the workbooks separately. I like having an option to buy something from a kit separately because things happen.

*Workbooks are for only one student only and not for a family to copy.

*The toys my be distracting to some kiddos.

*They don't teach the name of the letters.

* I had and individual tell me that they found the cost hard to justify for one kid.

 Cap IT! is okay with you not writing in the workbook and reusing it for several kids. The company realizes that you may have more than one student to teach at home. They are okay if you have the child use a notebook or white board separately for writing the letters. They are going to need to write the letter more than what is provided in the workbook anyways.

 Learning the letters names is not important at this point. You can teach them the names after they are done with the program.

In my opinion, this is a great investment if you desire to teach your kids Hebrew reading. I can whole heartily say that I highly recommended Cap IT!. 

My son has done two levels of Cap IT!. I am impressed with the program and very satisfied with how he is coming along with his Hebrew. My daughter is slow and steady with the Cap IT!  program due to her disabilities. You can read about what we do with Cap IT! for her in this previous post. What is important is that she is learning Hebrew. It's a program that works for all learning styles.

Cap IT! simplified Hebrew reading and  makes learning Hebrew enjoyable.

 

Learn To Read Hebrew

Home Kit | Ages 5 to 105

Price: $139.99

ADULTS & KIDS LEARN TO READ HEBREW IN JUST HOURS!

CAP IT!® Learn to Read Hebrew home kit contains:

    Easy Step-by-Step Guide

    Full Color Workbook

    Progress Chart

    Toys that Teach

    Flash Cards

    Stickers

    Songs

I can’t wait to teach Level 3. CAP IT! Read Fluent Hebrew Siddur Edition which teaches decoding skills and builds up a word bank of the most common Siddur words.

You can read my review on Cap IT! Level 1 Get Ready to Read Hebrew on this link.

 

I received Cap IT! for free from the publisher for the purpose to review this program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own