A Light So Lovely - The Spirirtual Legacy of Madeleine L'Engle by Sarah Arthur - Book Review

"We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it." ~ Madeleine L'Engle




The quote above, is this very book claims, the "crux of this book." Madeleine L'Engle was not afraid to shake up the status quo. She was an only child, and also often a lonely child, as her parents frequently left her at home , while they went out to attend various events. At one point, they brought her to a boarding school and dropped her off, without having told her before doing so. Claiming that she was unliked by her peers as she would later recall, she poured herself into her writing.

She is probably known best for her book, "A Wrinkle In Time", but interestingly enough, she was rejected somewhere around 30 times before being picked up. That book, banned in many libraries, didn't seem to fit into one particular category, and this book suggests that the same can be said for the author herself. It is said that she had an impressive presence, being tall, and exuding confidence.

A Light So Lovely, is a fascinating book to read. I always enjoy a good biography. I'm interested in hearing a person's story. Madeleine L'Engle seemed to be such a complex personality, but what I really get from this book is that she was authentic. She appears to have been open about the doubts that at points in her life, she struggled with regarding spiritual things. A passage that popped out at me was a section where a young lady who was in a group that L'Engle was leading felt that she didn't belong. She said that L'Engle not only made her feel at home, but that she had a gift for understanding the pain that people carry.

That is really the theme of the book, the struggle, the back and forth that L'Engle often engaged in throughout her life, as she worked out her beliefs. She managed to stir up quite a bit of controversy among the Christian community along the way. She seemed to put her whole self into her work, and allowed the public inside to catch a glimpse. I found that this book had me really thinking. This was an easy read though, and fans of this author will find it a good one, I'm sure.

Apologia Educational Ministries - Exploring Creation With Health And Nutrition, by Dr. Laura Chase - A Crew Review

I don't know where the time has gone. This week, my facebook memories have been popping up with old photos of my daughters. Each one has captured a moment of them at 4, 5, and 6 years old. As I looked at those precious images that feature my girls' beautiful blue eyes, and innocent smiles, I've been marveling at how quickly they grew from those adorable preschoolers, and into the lovely young ladies that I see today. This year, my oldest is beginning her high school journey. We're leaving behind the crayons and paste as we start counting the credits needed to graduate. After years of homeschooling, we have our favorite curriculum companies, but Apologia Educational Ministries has consistently remained at the top of the list. While I might be willing to pass on other homeschooling books and materials when we finish them, our entire family agrees that any book from Apologia will never leave our personal library. I have continually marveled at the knowledge that my daughters have learned and retained. Whenever we visit the zoo, or the museums, my daughters recite the many facts and details of the exhibits. They learned that information from Apologia.

One of the credits that my Freshman needs is Health. I was beyond thrilled when I learned that we would be reviewing the High School Health course,  Exploring Creation With Health And Nutrition by Dr. Laura Chase .  I'll  give you a spoiler alert. I am loving the material that we have covered over the past month. And surprise of surprises, not only has my daughter worked through the first few modules without complaint, but she's found the material interesting too. We received the Health and Nutrition Basic Set , which consists of the beautiful hardback textbook with 400+ pages, and the student notebook. The student workbook is for use with one student, so if you'll be using this with more than one teen, you will need one notebook for each individual. All of the tests that will be taken are included in the back of the notebook. The material is divided into 15 modules, and you can choose to use this as a full year course by working 3 days a week, or as a semester course by working 5 days a week. Since my daughter is getting a dose of the heavier workload that high school brings, we're going the full year route. These are the topics of each module:

* Module 1.) Who Am I And Why Does Health Matter?

* Module 2.) Physical Influences On Thoughts and Feelings

* Module 3.) Mental and Emotional Stability

* Module 4.) Interpersonal Harmony

* Module 5.) Treasuring Your Senses

* Module 6.) Processing Nourishment and Hydration

* Module 7.) Food Science 1 - Macronutrients

* Module 8.) Food Science 2 - Micronutrients

* Module 9.) Let's Look At What You Eat

* Module 10.) Delivering The Oxygen

* Module 11.) Let's Move

* Module 12.) You're Stronger Than You Look

* Module 13.) At War With Infection

* Module 14.) Peace In Difficult Times

* Module 15.) The Gift Of Reproduction

***Please note: There are topics in this course that are of a sensitive nature, including mental illness, reproduction, and sexually transmitted disease.

Apart from the textbook and student notebook, the additional materials are minimal until you get to Module 12. You'll want/need Internet access in order to take advantage of the Book/Extras website that accompanies this course, and includes test solutions, study guide answers, and links to additional websites that correlate to the lessons. DON'T OVERLOOK THIS RESOURCE. It's a wonderful help, filled with valuable extras. In order to access these resources, you'll check the first couple pages of the textbook, where you'll find the password. You can then create your account, type in the password, and you'll have all of the information at your fingertips. 

Once you get started with Module  12, you'll need an exercise mat or cushioned floor, gym shoes, and a fitness ball. 

We received our Health And Nutrition Basic Set in the middle of the last week of July, and we have just completed the first two Modules. The format and lessons have been very easy to follow. Both the textbook and the notebook provide a detailed introduction to the course, and how to approach the lessons. There is a suggested schedule inside the notebook that makes it simple to follow for the school year. You can add more to each lesson if you prefer to make it a semester long class. The year long option is perfect for my daughter. Also included in the first pages, is a grade recording chart, that I find very helpful in grading modules and tests.

Following the schedule, students will read a portion of the text, and then work on an OYO project, which stands for On Your Own. The questions are in both the textbook and the student notebook. The notebook is where the questions can be answered in detail, but I suppose that's obvious. There are also small projects sprinkled throughout the module. They may include a self assessment test, or require a bit of research on the Internet.  There are pages in the notebook that allow for plenty of notes, which will come in handy for the study guide that students will complete by filling in the blanks. The end of most modules include a test. Tests are multiple choice. Parents can grade these, or can look up the solutions on the book/extras website. 

The first module had us asking the question, "Who am I, and why does health matter?". Ok, that's two questions. We read all about the definition of health, and what is included in that term. My favorite part of the curriculum is the fact that it comes from a Biblical worldview. So, even as we read about genetics, chromosomes, DNA structure, epigenetics, and a LOT more, it is presented from a spiritual point of view. That is so important to our family. The best part of Module 1 for us was the temperament assessment. They use the Fluid-Imbalance Theory - Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholic, Phlegmatic. Part of the projects had us determining which category we fit into, and our whole family was roaring with laughter as we read the strengths of weaknesses of each choice, tested ourselves to see where we thought we fit, and then assessed each other's results. We found the test to be spot on, both for strengths and weaknesses. My oldest, who is taking this course, found herself to be a Phlegmatic/Melancholic. I'm the opposite, a Melancholic/Phlegmatic. My youngest is a Melancholic/Sanguine, and my husband seems to be more of a mix of Phlegmatic/Melancholic with a splash of Choleric.

Module two had us studying Physical Influences on Thoughts and Feelings. We read about the chemicals in our brain that affect our moods and all around well being. We looked at a photo model of a brain and learned about the locations of the various parts of the brain, and what motor skills are influenced by those areas. We looked at brain illnesses, the thyroid, pancreas, and reproductive hormones. They pack so much information into this course, and it's wonderful.

My daughter was a little nervous as she anticipated high school, and the increasing workload. She has worked independently on various parts of classes in the past, but she was unsure of what high school work would look like, so she was relieved when I assured her that I would be alongside her as she found her footing. She was happy to find that it really isn't too different than what she has been doing. We took turns reading the text. We read through the On Your Own questions together, and then worked in her notebook independently. I helped her get started with some of the research, and then she was able to move forward for herself. When it came to the tests, she did beautifully, even surprising herself! My eighth grader is pushing me to get her a student  notebook so that she can take the course too!

A few thoughts from my daughter:

"I wasn't sure what I expected this course to be like. I thought that it might include a lot of science, and it does. I don't usually like (science) very much, but Health has been interesting. I really liked the temperament test. It was exactly my personality, and we all were laughing at the way it fit all of our family. I also like that everything I really need for this is in the notebook, including the tests. It makes it more convenient."

Typically, I gush about Apologia Educational Ministries , and regarding the Health and Nutrition Basic Set, I feel the same way. Once again, they've put together a beautiful, durable, Biblical, simply amazing homeschooling resource. I'm looking forward to a great year of learning.

Being the generous and helpful company that they are, Apologia has a FREE e-book available for download, called Whole-Health - God's Design for Your Body, Mind, and Soul. It's a very nice introduction/supplement to this Health course. You'll get to read an interview with the author of this course, Dr. Laura Chase herself. There are activities for your family that will spark interesting discussion as you get to know yourself, and each other in a deeper way. You'll also find a few healthy recipes, and a fun word search. I love those! Download your copy today!

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Let The Countdown Begin!

Well, I have to face it. Our official school year begins next week, whether I'm ready or not, and as of yet, I'm still not quite ready. This week, the girls will have a quick getaway while I tend to last minute lesson planning. I hope to give the house a thorough cleaning too. I've been reluctant to let the summer come to an end, but as I see the leaves begin to change color, and there are fewer Robins in the yard, I'm easing into the spirit of Autumn. It's going to be a busy year, busier than we've ever had, as my oldest begins high school, and my youngest gets started on her last year of junior high. It's a bittersweet time. Have you started your school year yet?

Let's Get Planning!

Well, I've put it off too long, planning for the upcoming school year that is. The summer seemed to be over as quick as I blink. Typically, this is the time of year that I crave. I am a lover of routine, and our school days offer plenty of that. I can't say what it 

is about this particular year, but I find myself clinging to summer for as long as it lasts. But, seeing that our school year starts in a couple of weeks, I can't put it off any longer, so that's what I'm doing tonight, tomorrow, and a lot of this week. I have most of our supplies, and I only have a couple more items to order. Then, a nice cleaning up of the house, and I think we'll be ready to dive in. I know that many of you are starting soon as well, maybe a few of you already have. Good luck, best wishes, and let's have a great year!

God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn, by Julie Polanco - A Crew Review

In recent years, the homeschooling movement has exploded, and it continues to grow. More and more parents are bringing their children home, and their reasons vary according to each family. Interestingly, I have found that I can speak with four or five different homeschooling moms, and each of them have a personal philosophy or style in the way that they structure their educational journey. There are the traditional text book families, Charlotte Mason followers, eclectic families that pick and choose from an assortment of curriculum resources, and the list continues. There is another method that seems to be popping up more frequently also - "Unschooling". Scroll through the comment section of a social media post, where a new homeschool mom is asking for advice, and you'll find several people telling the parent that they need to "unschool" for a while, as everyone adjusts to a new lifestyle. I'll be honest and say that I often rolled my eyes at such advice. The kids were home, safe, with family who loved them and were attending to their needs, so what was this unschooling thing? It sounded to me, like the children basically had a free pass to do nothing all day. I mean, what kid is going to choose a school subject over something that they find more 'fun"?
I review a variety of fantastic homeschool curriculum, books, and resources, and it's a treat, but most of these items are specifically for my children. This time, I received the book, God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn by author Julie Polanco to review, and it's just for me! I'll give you one guess about the style of learning that this book advocates. Give up? Unschooling! As I read through the first chapter, I admit that I was thinking, "Oh dear, what am I going to do with this?", but then I thought that this was a good opportunity to get the author's view on the subject. I'm happy that I did, too.
She (Julie Polanco) is a homeschooling mother to four children, so yes, she has experience with this subject. The book is divided into two main sections:

Part One: Dispelling Myths - this is where she explains the concept of unschooling, suggests some Biblical reasons to do so, including Scripture, and discusses the ways that children become motivated. There are two chapters in part one.

Part Two: Practice - this includes chapters three through nine. Polanco breaks down the ages of children, and offers advice on how children learn best, citing various experts in the educational field. There are also tips and ideas for keeping and creating records and portfolios, and a question/answer section.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was helpful to me, to get a broader picture of what this unschooling method involves. I was happy to see that while supporters of this style (or at least this author) do provide and require meaningful areas of study, even if it doesn't look like another homeschooling method. Actually, I was surprised to find that some of the way that my family approaches homeschooling are similar to a few unschooling concepts. I agree with the philosophy included here, that speaks of the benefits of waiting to begin formal instruction to our children, rather than insisting that they need to begin at age two or three. I believe that a young child needs the opportunity to just play, without making everything a "teachable moment". Years ago, before I had children, and worked as a preschool teacher, the classes that I took drilled this idea into my brain - "It's the process, not the product." To see that very phrase used in this book made me smile. I wish more parents grasped that concept.

My girls are in junior high, and high school, so the chapters that focused on those years were helpful. I found myself agreeing with the author as she wondered why it is that often, in this day, our teens are not expected to carry much responsibility. I appreciated the comparison to previous generations, and the differences with each. There are also encouraging words and suggestions for taking college classes, what to expect, and what to consider as the question of what path your young adult might choose as a career option. Some of the information was familiar, but I gleaned some good ideas too.

Towards the end of the book, she says that in your homeschooling journey, "Make life sparkly". I like that. Make the most of the time that you have with your children. 

I only had one or two points of disagreement with what I read. In the beginning, she offers Bible verses that she suggest that the way of schooling in her book is the right way. To be fair, she did state what the verse was referring to at the time it was written. However, I tend to cringe when Christians quote a verse to back up a viewpoint that is often their preference, rather than an actual mandate. I do agree that Biblical principles can, and do apply to all manner of situations. Families approach homeschooling in so many ways, for varying reasons, and are successful. Likewise, I know families that wish they could homeschool, but for other reasons can't. As Christians, I believe that we need to support and encourage each other, and trust that God is directing our families. That being said, there are a lot of good insights in this book. It's helpful for basically anyone, for the mom just beginning the homeschool thing, to the more seasoned mom of teens. It's a great addition to your personal library. 

This is also a great time to pick up the e book, as you can purchase it for half price through August 22, 2018.

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Branch Out World - A Crew Review

My husband and I had only been married for a few months, when he arrived home from work one evening, and asked me how I would like to live in England for a year. His place of employment wanted him to work at one of their United Kingdom locations in a kind of transfer exchange, where he would go there for a time, and an English employee would come over here, to America. My answer? No, I wouldn't! Generally speaking, I have never been much of an adventurous kind of personality. As it happens, we did go, and became thoroughly immersed in the lovely English culture. I came to love it there, and we made some lifelong friends in the process. My husband and I have a deep rooted affection for the U.K.. So, when most anything of the British variety pops up, my ears perk up, and I'm interested.

The reason that I'm sharing some of my history with you, has to do with this review that you'll be reading about in the next few paragraphs. Branch Out World is a British based company, started by a homeschooling mother of three children. My daughter and I have had such fun reviewing a unit study from their Picture Book Explorers studies, Paddington Bear . A little fun fact for you: each study from this company has a connection to the U.K, whether it is the setting, author's background, or illustrator's background. 

I adore classic literature, particularly classic children's literature. There are many titles in my cache of favorites, and Paddington is on that list. For those of you that need a little refresher regarding the storyline, Paddington Bear is a stowaway from darkest Peru. He is discovered at Paddington station in London, England, by Mr. and Mrs. Brown. They take him into their home, where he gets into a bit of innocent mischief as he learns to navigate his new surroundings. It's a sweet story in and of itself, but paired with this literature study, it becomes a delightful launching point into many more topics to explore.

This Unit Study was designed for use with the story Paddington, by Michael Bond. The book itself  is not included, but they do share the ISBN code so you can select the exact copy. Our version is written by Bond, but is not that specific copy. Still,  it worked for us. This is a digital download, so hurray for instant access! Everything that you'll need to prepare your lessons is included in the download, minus any extra supplies that might be needed for various activities and projects. Even those items are likely to be already in your supply closet and pantry. 

I found everything to be laid out in a very organized manner. The first few pages explain the basics of using this study. You'll find instructions for working through each section, and a Table of Contents. There are ideas for recording your students' progress through photos, notebooks, and more. There is a one page "Let's Explore" sheet that provides the information for the copy of the book that this study used, additional books to consider, a supply list, and the story summary. This is helpful to tack up on your refrigerator or bulletin board for quick reference. 

The study is divided into 5 days, but there is great potential to stretch it beyond that period of time, if you like. Upon first glance, this appeared to be a short study, but as we dove in, we found ourselves following trails here and there as certain topics caught our eye. That's why I said above, that this study is a great launching point. You can begin with the initial story, and then move on to study those areas that interest your students. This is the basic schedule:

Day one: Exploring the Setting

 - learn about the flags of England and Peru

-study and color in maps of England and Peru

-make tourist posters

-learn about migration

-follow a timeline

Day Two: Exploring the Worlds

-learn about the author

-themes of the story

-vocabulary

-grammar

Day Three: Exploring the Pictures

-learn about the illustrator

-picture study

-Architectural Features

-principles of design

Day Four: Exploring Science

-bears of Peru

-shaving foam science

Day Five: Exploring Math, Crafts, and More

-parallel lines

-numbers

-packing

-strawberry tarts

-orange marmalade

All of the maps, mini books, templates, and answer keys are included, as well as related timelines, and fact sheet about migration. The instructions are very easy to follow. The target age range is 5-9 years old, but this is easily modified to suit younger and older students. My 12 year old daughter was my fellow reviewer of this study, and she was very engaged, and being older, could work on more complicated activities without losing interest. This is a great option for households that vary in age. We had an especially good time with the crafts and cooking projects. You really need to check out Branch Out World's Pinterest page. The ideas are great!

We made toilet paper tube Paddington Bear, complete with suitcase and marmalade sandwiches.

A study of Peru is included, and we saw that pan flutes are a part of the culture, so we made one with colored straws.

We just had to make orange marmalade, after all, it's Paddington's favorite. It was so good, we have a new family favorite!

To end the study we made a variation of the strawberry tarts, and watched the movie, Paddington.

We had a wonderful time as we worked through this literature resource. It was relaxing, creative, and all around enjoyable. While I expected to like this review, I didn't expect to have this much fun! I am delighted with how much opportunity for so many different topics of learning that this offers. I'm heading back to the main website to see what else we can get lost in. With so much to offer, you should definitely consider Branch Out World as you prepare for the upcoming school year.

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The County Fair and Crowder

In our area, the schools will be starting Fall classes this week and the next. Our homeschool still has a few weeks left of summer vacation before we get underway after Labor Day, so we're doing our best to squeeze in a few more fun activities before then. Our city's County Fair was this past week, and that was a must do excursion for us. We enjoy taking in as many of the animals, exhibits, and fair food as possible, but our favorite by far is the Draft Horses event. Seeing the gorgeous Clydesdale horses in all of their finery, pulling the wagons with style and elegance is the highlight of the whole fair. I'm definitely not the best photographer, especially with a moving subject, but here are a few...

The fun didn't end with the fair. Our church closed out its Summer Revival with an excellent message from Levi Lusko, and a concert that included Vertical Church Band, Jon and Val Guerra, and Crowder! With over 10,000 people in attendance, it was a wonderful afternoon/evening. What a great way to close out the summer, and get ready for fall!