The Conversation, by Leigh A. Bortins {Review}

Homeschooling through the High School years has been the topic of conversation in our local homeschool group for the last couple of months.  Over the years I've heard a lot about Classical Conversations and have been researching this homeschooling method.  Classical Converstaions is built on the Trivium model of education with a Christian Focus.

With this years focus on long term planning for the High School years I was very excited to hear that Leigh A. Bortins had authored a new book covering this period of education titled The Conversation.

Leigh is a veteran home educating mom of 30 years and has written this marvelous book to equip, encourage and help you form a firm foundation for your children as they walk through the high school years together with you.

What we received

• Paperback book 
• 267 pages
• Author: Leigh A. Bortins
• ISBN: 978-0-9904720-2-5
• Published: 2015

About the book

The Conversation is the third book in the Classical Conversations Trivium Trilogy.  The first two books are: The Core and The Question.

The grammar stage (The Core) allows children to learn and memorize facts. During the dialectic stage (The Question), students are encouraged to start asking questions and evaluate what they are learning. The rhetoric stage (The Conversation) allows teens to apply that knowledge practically. “Rhetoric is the use of knowledge and understanding to perceive wisdom, pursue virtue, and proclaim truth” (The Conversation, p. 38-39)

The book is broken down into three main parts:
Part One – High School at Home

• Chapter 1 – Confidant Parents
• Chapter 2 – Rhetoric Defined

Part Two – The Rhetorical Arts

• Chapter 3 – Reading
• Chapter 4 – Speech and Debate
• Chapter 5 – Writing
• Chapter 6 – Science
• Chapter 7 – Math
• Chapter 8 – Government and Economics
• Chapter 9 – History
• Chapter 10 – Latin and Foreign Language
• Chapter 11 – Fine Arts
• Chapter 12 – A Graduation Conversation

Epilogue
Part Three – Appendices

• Appendix One – Conversation Games
• Appendix Two – Common Rhetorical Devices
• Appendix Three – Resources
• Appendix Four – Real Parents Respond

"As classical parents and educators, we sometimes forget that we really only need four things in order to educate someone. We need pencil, paper, good books and time for great conversations."

In part one Leigh does a wonderful job of equipping and encouraging parents to home educate through the high school years.  She presents a good case explaining why home educating through the high school years is possible.

In Chapter two she takes the time to define rhetoric and what that means for you as an educator. In this chapter she introduces the five canons of the this educational model. "The word comes from the Greek Kanon, which refers to a measuring line or standard of excellence."(The Conversation page 42)

1. Invention - coming up with and researching ideas
2. Arrangement - organizing these ideas in a manner that makes sense
3. Elocution - determining the style of presentation for the type of audience
4. Memory - Memorizing the information and adding key points of remembrance
5. Delivery - Presenting the ideas, in either a written or spoken format

Leigh takes the time to define each of these areas and why they are used in the classical model of education.

She uses these five canons to define how to teach each of the subjects outline in chapters 3 to 12 along with examples for each subject. She introduces the subject matter, breaks it down into each of the canons and finishes each chapter with a summary of the subject matter and canons. The examples are often presented in conversational format so you can clearly see how to have a conversation using this model of education with your high school student. These are all built around real life examples.
She provides great arguments for why all of this is important, how parents can integrate them, and what children gain from studying such subjects.

The final section of the book contains games, definitions, resources and further reading suggestions.
 
Cost of The Conversation

• $16.00
• Download a FREE Sample Chapter 2

The Conversation is specifically written for parents who are approaching the high school years, considering homeschooling through these years or who are currently homeschooling through the high school years. 

I have already graduated two high schooler's and found that this is one of those wonderful resource books to have on your shelf to reference as you teach your children through all levels at home.  It's a great book to read even if you are not following the Classical Conversation method of educating at home.  In fact I've enjoyed reading it so much I am looking forward to purchasing the first two books in the series.

Blessings
Chareen

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Project Passport World History Study: The Middle Ages (400 AD to 1500 AD) {Review}

One of the very first homeschool vendors I was introduced to as a new home educator was Homeschool in the Woods.  I was looking for some ideas on how to do timelines and everyone was talking about the beautiful artwork that Amy Pak does.

Two years ago Nathaniel and I had a wonderful time using Homeschool in the Woods - Great Empires with the crew.  This year Amy launched a new product called: Project Passport World History.

A couple of months back we did some work on the Middle Ages and we've also done some craft things in relation to it so was very pleased and blessed to have the opportunity to work with Project Passport World History Study: The Middle Ages (400 AD to 1500 AD). 

What we received

• Download version of Project Passport World History Study: The Middle Ages

The Download

The file size for this pack is 246 MB in a zipped file.  I extracted by right clicking on the zipped folder and selecting extract. I had created a folder and selected the folder and clicked extract.

Once it extracted there were six icons in the explorer. I double clicked on the Internet explorer icon  and the program opened in a new browser window. No Internet connection is needed to use the download.

How we used it

You come to a welcome page with some buttons to get started.

• Introduction
• Travel Tips
• Travel Planner: Quick Stop Itinerary
• Additional Resources
• Acknowledgements / Bibliography / Usage

I printed these off and had a read. They are a couple of short notes on how to use Project Passport.

Project Passport is arranged in a travel itinerary format. Just below the introduction you come to the first stop of 25. Each stop is arranged in the same manner for ease of navigation.

1. Five green buttons which are jump buttons down the page to the stops listed. At each STOP you meet interesting people, learn about the events in these peoples lives and pivotal points of history during the Middle Ages presented in fun practical ways.
2. The title of the STOP.
3. Guide Book Text is a link to  a pdf which you can print and read to your children about the topic of the STOP. I print these and add them to our notebook.  Travel Itinerary is a link to a pdf containing the directions for the day's activities.   It tells you what to print and has step by step fully illustrated instructions on how to complete the activities you have chosen to do on your STOP.
4. Through out the page are photo links on the right hand side which open in a new tab.  These show you what the completed project looks like.
5. Each printable is fully listed and opens in a new tab for ease of printing.
6. There are a number of icons down the left hand side clearly indicating different aspects of the project.

You have the choice of either doing a Scrapbook of Sights or a Lapbook or you could have one student do each.

The Audio's and  Guide book make this a standalone product to be used to have an over view of the Middle Ages it is well presented and concise twaddle free story telling.

There are more than 50 activities through out which are divided into:

1. Scrapbook of Sights
2. Lap Book
3. Snapshot Moments (timeline)
4. Postcard
5. Audio Tour
6. Music
7. Active Participation
8. Newspaper
9. Game
10. Edible Project 
11. 3-Dimensional Project

We have chosen to make a Notebook of our journey through the Middle Ages. Amy's figures are beautifully illustrated with plenty of detail. As we complete a stop we colour in a figure and add it to the Scrapbook of Sights.

A few of the STOPS we've enjoyed so far

We began our journey by making a  brief case to keep our passport safe and travel notes.

 Snapshot Moments a timeline of our journey so far.

This newspaper grows with articles as we learn more along our stops.  Nathaniel dictates to me and I write up his summary of what we've been learning in pre-set spaces.

We made a Postcard Rack which contains postcards to read along our journey from important people in history.

We learned about the classes and clothing and made beautiful puppets. 


Cost of Project Passport World History Study: The Middle Ages

• Download (Mac & PC Compatible) $33.95
• CD $34.95
• For school and co-op license pricing, please contact Homeschool in the Woods

Recommended Age Range

• Grades: 3-8

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Over All I thought ...
We are loving our journey with Project Passport World History Study: The Middle Ages (400 AD to 1500 AD). Nathaniel and I are enjoying the projects at each stop and truly feel as though we are traveling back in time. We are enjoying the snapshot of history each day and the hands on activities.  I highly recommend this product as a wonderful addition to any homeschool history product covering the Middle Ages.

Blessings
Chareen

Cursive Logic Workbook {Review}

The ability to write is one of the greatest gifts we can bestow on our children and it's one that is full of amazing benefits.

Writing by hand is a painfully slow process for Nathaniel and I had been wondering how on earth I was going to teach him cursive?  He was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Visual Sequencing issues last year which complicates learning to write. Some of his friends are now writing in cursive and he had asked me to teach him how. After exploring the CursiveLogic website and hearing the back story of the development of the Cursive Logic Workbook I was inspired to try it with Nathaniel.

"For centuries, cursive handwriting has been an art. To a growing number of young people, it is a mystery." - Kate Zezima The Case for Cursive, New York Times.

What we received

• CursiveLogic
• Extra practice pages.  You have the option of accessing The Gettysburg Address or Writing the Psalms by subscribing to Cursive Logic.

How we used it
This beautiful high quality spiral bound work book contains a total of 97 pages.
The binding is along the top of the page which means that it will not get in the way of the writing hand of the student.

The first three pages are introductory notes covering important topics such as correct positioning of the hand and book to enable successful writing.

The next six pages of the book covers the method used in Cursive Logic to teach cursive.

This is followed by four separate sections teaching the fundamentals to each group of letters known as strings to be learned.  Each group of pages follows the same method of teaching which is really helpful as Nathaniel knew what to expect because they are presented in a logical colour coded manner.

Each lesson is broken down into basic steps:

• The letter group basic shape is introduced. Each string is colour coded which helps the student to clearly see the differences.
• A verbal chant is taught that accompanies the basic shape and flow of that particular string.
• Next they practice the completed letter strings.
• Complete words are taught straight away. This really helped Nathaniel see that he was able to write complete words quickly and with ease.  This in itself was an excellent motivator to learn the next shape.

The program has examples followed by your turn trace it sections.  These sections are beneficial in the the trace letters are hollow so the student is guided between two lines to complete the letters and not left to do it on their own too soon.

Once strings have been learned there are practice pages combining the different types of letters in a logical and easy manner.  Each practice session builds on the last.

Page 70 shows all the letters of the alphabet joined together in alphabetical order.  

At the end of the book there are a few pages with short notes on capital letters followed by a page on how to sign my name.

Upper and lower case practice pages.

The last two pages are laminated practice/review pages which can be used over and over with a dry erase marker.

Cost of Cursive Logic

• $29.00 per book.

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Over All I thought ...
Nathaniel and I both love the simplicity and ease of Cursive Logic. I do not have to argue with him to practice and I am impressed with the way his handwriting has improved with this program.  Due to the simplicity and ease with which he is learning I have seen his confidence grow in leaps and bounds each week.   I highly recommend this excellent cursive program to anyone wanting to learn cursive regardless of their age.

If you have a special needs student this program is an excellent fit as it uses the different senses to reinforce what is taught.

Blessings
Chareen

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

SmartKidz Media {Review}

This past year of our homeschooling journey we have been using more digital media to enhance our learning. Most of the time I search on Google and a few of the streaming stations that came with our Smart TV.  I recently heard about SmartKidz Media which is an online digital media resource for families.

What we received

• One year access to the SmartKidz Media Library for Homeschoolers.
•  Be sure to take a look at their FAQ page it is a wealth of information.
• You will need a minimum of 0.5Mbps to stream from SmartKidz Media.  Recommended speeds for HD are a minimum of 1.0Mbps.

How we used SmartKidz Media

SmartKidz Media is an online digital media streaming resource that is compatible with any internet linked device.  We mainly accessed it on my home desktop computer and our LG Smart TV through the www menu.  Once you log in you have access to ten categories and each of these have sub-categories.

 

• World of Discovery contains 27 collections.  This is the main area we have explored and enjoyed using. It contains history videos (these have just been added and we are looking forward to exploring this genre), cooking shows showcasing food from around the world, travel and Adventure, health and fitness contains both adult, expecting moms and children's exercise classes, culture showcasing both modern, ancient and unusual cultures around the world, Animals and Wildlife from all over the world covering their journeys, answering questions about animals, nature by design, discovering animals from different habitat, babies and adults,
• Music & Fine Arts - Classical, Cultural, Jazz and Relaxation.
• Mighty eBook Collection - These are animated audio books covering science questions, classical stories such as Aesop Fables,  Mother Goose, Reading Readiness, fun, bible stories, classic sing along songs etc.
• Baby Signs Program - Baby Signs program, a full baby sign dictionary, and potty training videos.
• My Animal Family - is a program designed to teach family values, respect for animals through the use of video story books.
• Quick Find Study Guides - These are full study guides arranged in subject fields (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Accounting, Foreign Language) and each book is in alphabetical order)
• Learning Special Needs - These books cover everyday topics like what is money, making lemonade, winter clothing, going places, public holidays etc. Most books have a choice of hear the book or interactive.  In the interactive selection you have the option of printing books and activities as well. 
• Living Skills Program -  This is a new area that will be available soon.
• Ready Set Sing - This area has sing along songs and is divided into age appropriate levels from Ages 2-4 and 6-8
• Fun Zone - This area contains educational games covering puzzles, just for fun and games.

In the Science gallery we really enjoyed these three videos in the series How did they make that? which answered the every day questions behind how did they make that? We learned about how they made marbles, money (my favourite so far), birthday cake, potato crisps, motor cars, candles and slate tiles. {Nathaniel says this series was by far his most favourite so far.}

When you hover your mouse over a particular video of interest a pop up box appears with a brief description of the video along with how long the program is.

Once you click on the video it opens on a page of it's own and starts to play immediately.  You are able to watch the video in full screen mode by clicking on the icon with the four arrows on the bottom right of the player.  Below the video player is the full summary of what the video is about along with a topic list and the running time of the video shown in hours, minutes and seconds.

Bizarre Science tickled both our interest by answering questions about why toast always falls on the buttered side, do you get more wet running or walking through the rain? Why does water spin when it goes down a drain?

This is another series that grabbed us and we watched one after another. I learned some really interesting things about the wealth on our planet.

Music Library

When you select something from the music library it opens up in an independent music player.

• The top left contains a graphic of the collection. 
•  The center shows you the music collection Title and below this the track currently playing. 
• To the right is a full play list. You can select play all or you can start playing from the track of your choosing. You can also see the length of each track here.

Cost of SmartKidz Media

• Monthly Membership $10.00 p/m
• Annual Membership $99.00
• Free Trial (14 days)

Recommended Age Range

• Toddler to Adult

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Over All I thought ...
One of the things I have appreciated the most about the SmartKidz Media platform is that there are no links to other sites and  no advertising or pop ups either.  This has meant that I can allow Nathaniel to surf the site to look for content that he is interested in viewing knowing he will not accidentally end up in some strange website or see undesirable content. This site is value for money and well worth investing in.

Blessings
Chareen