A very simple and lovely grammar book based on the text First Grammar Lessons written by Charlotte Mason in 1928. The text is illustrated with charming 19th century drawings which are used within the text for exercises such as: completing sentences and making sentences of certain types and telling stories using certain parts of speech. The text is intended for fourth grade and up (the Charlotte Mason method recommends waiting until then for formal grammar studies - focusing on reading and narration earlier). It is simple enough to be used as a "lap-text" for the earlier grades as well (for mother and child to work on together in an informal manner). I found the explanations to be very good at helping children understand what the different parts of speech are used for.

Seton Home Study has published a full line of Catholic spelling texts. Unfortunately, we have a difficult time providing reviews because we wish only to review the most recent editions and Seton revises their books frequently. You may view sample pages of these books on Seton's Website.

The Spelling Power Activity Task Cards provide a multi-sensory approach to spelling instruction. (The activity cards are coded to indicate a visual, auditory, kinetic, and/or tactile instruction style.) Such an approach gives a child multiple ways to "retrieve" the phonics rules from his "mental filing cabinet." This approach is particularly well suited for children who have trouble retaining their spelling lessons, or have learning disabilities.

Though designed to accompany Spelling Power, this program can be used with any spelling textbook or list. Providing 365 activities, it is meant as a supplement for reinforcement, rather than as a complete spelling program. Most activities take only 5 or 10 minutes, though some children will want to take more time with the game or craft cards, and require little preparation from the parent. A few of the activities are designed to be done on successive days. They are also designed to be used by an individual child, but can be easily adjusted to be worked with a partner or by a group.

The activities are broken down into five categories: Drill Activities, Skill Builders, Writing Prompters, Dictionary Skills, and Homonyms & More. The activities are well-organized so that my children are able to work the program on their own with little help from me. Each activity is printed on a 3 by 5 card and color coded by ability level. A sturdy cardboard holder keeps the cards in order. A small teacher's manual is provided, which includes teaching tips and answers.

As my children complete the activities, I have them put a sticker on the back of the card. This gives them a feeling of accomplishment, especially when they go back through the cards to see how much they have done so far in a school year. Because there is such an abundance of activities, it is not necessary to do each and every activity. I let my children pick and choose their activity for a particular day. Since it is used as a supplement, I don't see any reason to be rigid in implementing the activity task cards. Instead, make it fun and introduce it to your children as a game to be played.

I must admit a bias. Because I have used the method suggested in Stories with a View for years with my own children, I highly recommend this resource. Why? It works! By observing and interacting with pictures and poetry, young writers are inspired to write interesting fiction.

In fact, Mrs. Davidson makes this method even easier to implement by offering discussion questions and suggested "story starters" to prompt the young writer. For example, with A Restful Tune (a painting about a shepherd boy playing a reed pipe) the questions include:

1. Describe where this scene takes place?
2. Who is the boy?
3. What time of day do you think it is?
4. What are the sheep doing while the dogs rest?

Paging through the various pictures, even the child most adverse to pen and paper should have something to say about these paintings. Some of them are truly amusing. In The Mouse by Giacomo Favretto, you can just imagine the young women squealing on the chairs at the thought of the mouse scurrying across the floor as the little boy tries to capture it in the corner.

Since younger children, preschool and kindergarten age, have very fertile imaginations, they too could use this resource, having the child dictate the story aloud. 79 pages might not seem like a lot of material at first, but as anyone who spends time writing knows, the writing process takes time and may drafts to create a polished final copy. There is more than enough material here to inspire the budding writer. Additionally, the suggestions and principles outlined here can be applied to stories, poems and paintings elsewhere too.

The Guide to Stories with a View includes an overview for the teacher, suggestions for how to incorporate this writing program into your language arts program, and directions on how to implement the program; including specific dialogue to guide and motivate the student through the writing process to a story that the student will be proud to keep in a "writing portfolio." If you have a reluctant writer, several story starters have been included in the guide for each painting or poetry selection. Your own writer may want to add some new ones to the list.

With my own children, I have mostly used pictures and picture books to stimulate them to write their own stories. Using poetry now adds another whole new dimension to draw on. With this resource, I don't have to look for paintings or poetry to inspire my children; I have it all in one place with questions to prime the writing pump. These attractive, full-color paintings and beautiful poems will stimulate great thoughts and interesting stories in even the most writing resistant child. You will be surprised by the results.