The Nutcracker {Maestro Classics}

One of our review highlights in 2014 was the one we did for Maestro Classics. We are endeavoring to follow a more delight directed approach along a Charlotte Mason philosophy.  Charlotte Mason encouraged classical composer studies and the listening of great compositions. Personally I have a very limited understanding of classical music and would love to introduce more of this genre of music into our home school.

We enjoyed our first introduction to Maestro Classics so much I was thrilled when they offered us their latest addition to their product line: The Nutcracker featuring Jim Weiss

I am so pleased to have discovered  Maestro Classics. Their aim is to introduce children to classical music through stories. The music on each CD is played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

What we received

• Digital Download of The Nutcracker 
• Produced by: Maestro Classics
• Narrated by: Jim Weiss
• Music by: Tchaikovsky
• Adapted by: Stephen Simon
• Conducted by: Stephen Simon
• Music played by: London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Nutcracker Activity Book (PDF format)
• Total download size: 95.2 MB zipped file
• Total Duration 58 min 01 seconds

How we used it

After downloading the zipped file to my pc I extracted it's contents and imported the music into my iTunes library.  I then burned them to disc.  Nathaniel and I snuggled on the couch to listen to the CD. We were so inspired by the story we found a video on Netflix to watch The Nutcracker Ballet!

CD insert sample

The Activity booklet which comes with the CD is a beautifully illustrated full colour 13 page CD insert containing:

• A Summary of Act 1 and 2
• Short History of Ballet
• A simple sample of the Overture to The Nutcracker
• An introduction to the Harp
• Short biography of Mr Tchaikovsky
• Word Scramble
•  Nutcracker Crossword Puzzle
• Biography of Stephen Simon and Jim Weiss
• A reference to Maestro Classics
• A contents page referencing each track

The curriculum guide is worth it's weight in gold. It's available as a FREE download from Maestro Classics. This ten page guide is fully interactive with links on every page to interesting information.

The Nutcracker curriculum guide covers:

• Ballet -  the history, YouTube clips, colouring pages, Nutrition,  Games
• History - Christmas around the world, mini unit study
• Geography - history of nutcrackers and a mini virtual field trip
• Science - simple machines, levers, physics
• Language Arts - Fairy Tales, 
• Art - Let's make nutcrackers
• Books - recommended books
• Music - mini unit studies on Tchaikovsky, rhythm,  activities
• Math - Nutcrackers by number, themed Montessori activities

For the Parent
Don't miss out on the amazing extra's that are available on the website

• Curriculum Guides  Each guide is choc full of links and helpful information.  They are full of amazing resources to use alongside the CD's.  You can click on a single subject OR download all the subjects in one handy pdf guide.
• Puzzles and Games -Contains the program answer guides as well as word search, crossword and coloring pages.
• Articles on Music Education by Bonnie Ward Simon (BA, MA, M.Ed, MPhil)
• Free Sheet Music
• Homemade Musical Instruments
• Montessori-inspired Music Appreciation Lessons based on Maestro Classics

Cost of The Nutcracker*

• CD version $16.98
• MP 3 version $9.98 

*All prices are quoted in US $ and are current at time of review. Please consult the Maestro Classics website for current prices

Other CD's available 

• The 12 CD Collection
• Complete Maestro Classics Library - MP3 Collection (13 titles) 
• Peter and the Wolf - music by Prokofiev
  
• Carnival of the Animals - music by Saint Saens
• The Soldier's Tale - music by Igor Stravinsky
• The Tortoise and the Hare - music by Stephen Simon
• Casey at the Bat - music by Stephen Simon
• The Sorcerer's Apprentice - music by Dukas
• Classic Pack
• Story Pack
• Swan Lake Orchestra
• The Story of Swan Lake - Music by Tchaikovsky
• Juanita the Spanish Lobster - Music by David Haslam

Connect with Maestro Classics

• Pinterest
  
• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Blog

What we thought
We love all things Maestro Classic.  The Nutcracker is perfect for ballet students learning to dance The Nutcracker, introducing children to Tchaikovsky's music, anyone going to see The Nutcracker ballet for the first time and fans of the popular story teller Jim Weiss.

Blessings
Chareen

5 Books on Studying Artists

This months theme for the Poppins Book Nook is ARTISTS.  Art can be a sensitive topic among home educating families. It all boils down to your preference and your personal home educating philosophy.

I have a passion for twaddle free living literature and have been collecting books for many years now.  Today I would like to share five of my favorite go to books and five art projects we have enjoyed this year.

If you would like more information on a book click on the link below the graphic.

Until Next month

Blessings
Chareen


5 Beautiful Art Books on Artist Study

The Usborne ART Treasury

Katie and the Waterlily Pond

Katie and the Mona Lisa

The Usborne Book of Famous Paintings

A Year in Art A Painting a Day

 5 Easy Art Projects to enjoy with your Children

Tessellating Tile Art found in The Usborne ART Treasury on pages 84 -87.

Clown Collage inspired by Picasso - page 22 and 23 of The Usborne ART Treasury.

Fish in the sea pictured inspired by The Golden Fish by Paul Klee. 
We used The Usborne ART Treasury on page 28-31.

Modrian Inspired Art

Artist Study {Claude Monet}

Your Poppins Book Nook Co-hosts for 2015 are

Enchanted Homeschooling Mom - 3 Dinosaurs - ABC Creative Learning - As We Walk Along the Road - Brain Power Boy - Chestnut Grove Academy - Embracing Destiny - Every Bed of Roses - Farm Fresh Adventures - Growing in God's Grace - Kathys Cluttered Mind - My Bright Firefly - Peakle Pie - Preschool Powol Packets - Pray Species - SAHM I am - Stir The Wonder - Sunny Day Family - Sweet Silly Sara - Teach Beside Me - To the Moon and Back - Tots and Me - Tree Valley Academy - Witty Hoots - 

Poppins Book Nook Clip Art by Melon Headz  Melonheadzdoodles & CollectiveCreation

#PoppinsBookNook #storybookactivitiesforkids #bookfunforkids #booksforkids
 

Connect with the Poppins Book Nook at

1. Enchanted Homeschooling
2. Facebook
3. Pinterest

Connect with me

 

An InLinkz Link-up

Phonetic Zool Level A {IEW Review}

Earlier this year Nathaniel and I had the privilege of beginning our writing journey with The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). I have been a huge fan of theirs for over a decade and was very encouraged to see Nathaniel's progress in the area of composition using their Student Writing Package.

Due to Asperger's Syndrome Nathaniel has been struggling in the area of language arts and spelling is an area we have been working on. I recently discovered that Nathaniel learns best with short lessons, copy work and with clear instructions. I heard about Phonetic Zoo Spelling Level A [Starter Set] and I was very keen to try it.

You can watch Andrew Pudewa's introduction to Spelling Zoo on YouTube.

What we received

• Spelling and the Brain video Seminar
• 5 audio CD's containing 47 lessons, answer keys and 6 final exams
• Lesson Cards 
• Personal Spelling Cards
• Zoo Cards
• Phonetic Zoo Teacher Notes (PDF file) 3.93 MB. This manual is 76 pages long and contains: How to notes, an introduction to Phonetic Zoo, short lesson notes for each lesson and Appendices.

How we used it

After downloading the Teachers Manual I printed it off and followed took some time to read through the notes in the beginning. I found these notes particularly helpful as they explain the reasons behind the method.

Spelling Zoo uses a multi-sensory approach to teach spelling and has it's foundations in Mrs. Anna Inghams Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning. The explanations of basic neurophysiology deepened my understanding of the processes involved in learning to spell and helped reinforce the method.

 I downloaded the audio program into iTunes and gave Nathaniel the first spelling card. 

Nathaniel looked over the spelling rule and column A of the spelling words. I had him read the rule to me and explained what it meant in relation to the words he was learning.  We put aside the card and took out a book with plain lined paper.

The next step was for him to do on his own.  He started listening to the audio. Track one explains to the student how the program works.  Track two was the first lesson.  The spelling rule is recited followed by a spelling practice run.

This involves:

• Hearing the word to be learned in context of a sentence 
• Writing the word.  
• Once all the words are written the student is required to mark their own work. The process involves: hearing the word, hearing the spelling of the word, crossing out the incorrectly spelled word and writing it the correct way.  

This process is repeated until the student obtains 100 % accuracy for the list they are working on for two days in a row.

Front of Personal Spelling Reward Cards

Back of Personal Reward Spelling Cards

 Once they have obtained mastery they earn a zoo card for that level.  Each card contains:

• On the front:A picture of an animal whose name follows the spelling rule and the title of the spelling rule
• On the back: The lesson number, rule title and hint poem to help the student remember the rule.

Front: Lesson Card One

 The lesson cards are printed on card stock. Each card has three levels of spelling on them.  Level A, B and C. The front of the card has a drawing of an animal along with their name which conforms to the spelling rule being learned. On the right is a sample of the words being learned that lesson.

Back Lesson Card One

The back of each card contains the lesson summary and rule hint. On the right is three columns.  One for each spelling level. This means that you only need one set of cards to complete all three levels. Once you have worked through level A go back to the beginning and work your way through each successful level. This means I only have to purchase the audio's in order to complete the next two levels.

Cost of Phonetic Zoo Level A*

• CD with Printed Materials $99.00
• Download, $79.00

*All prices are quoted in US $ and are current at time of review. Please consult the I.E.W. website for current prices
** I.E.W. is available for purchase internationally.  Find your nearest distributor here.

Recommended Age Range

• Grades 3 - 5
• Special Education
• English Learners
• Level A (primary)
• Level B (intermediate)
• Level C (highest)

Find out more

•  Getting started with The Phonetic Zoo
• How to use Spelling Zoo
• About the 100 % refund Guarantee 
• Spelling Zoo Placement Test 

Connect with IEW



I am very impressed with Spelling Zoo.  It has removed the stress of me having to daily repeat the spelling I am teaching to Nathaniel.  Spelling Zoo has been a good fit for Aspergers because each and every day is identical.  The results are measurable each day and he has immediate feedback on his personal progress.  There is no pressure because he is working against himself and his own ability.

Blessings
Chareen