Foreign Language

Power-Glide Adventure Tools for Building Language Vocabulary

Noun Pack Flash Cards with Audio
Book cover: 'Power-Glide Adventure Tools for Building Language Vocabulary: Noun Pack Flash Cards with Audio'
Copyright: 
2002
Publisher: 
Power-Glide
Subject(s): 
Foreign Language
Resource Type: 
CD Audio
Flashcards
Review: 

This elegantly simple resource provides an introduction to nouns in six different languages in a way accessible to young children. (The point isn't necessarily to overwhelm them with all six languages at once - you pick your language of interest or let them play around and see what they like.) The front of each large glossy card has a simple, child-like illustration of the object or a symbol representing the noun. (For example, January is represented by a Snowman, December is represented by a Christmas tree.) The back of the card gives the word in English as well as six other languages - Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Russian and Latin. All the words chosen are child-appropriate, but the set is suitable for all ages.

The cards are intended to be an introduction or a study aid to students using the various Power Glide Courses. You choose which language you want to use the cards for. The audio CDs are arranged so that each language has its own segment on the CDs. This is less expensive to produce than an individual set for each language. But, it's also really neat because you can play around with languages with young children to see which ones they're interested in. They can learn to count in all six languages. Some of them may also be interested in seeing the relationships between the languages and where similarities lie (this is especially useful since Latin is one of the languages included).

The Audio CD is a very nice recording - very straightforward with the narrators alternating between English and the language of choice. Just skip to the segment of your language choice and the entire text for that language is all in one place.

Categories of Nouns:

  • Months of the Year
  • Seasons
  • Days of the Week
  • Numbers: 1-10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 1000
  • Colors
  • Shapes (Six Basic Ones)
  • Body Parts
  • Modes of Transportation
  • Places (Post Office, Library, etc.)
  • Family Members
  • Clothing
  • Animals
  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Beverages
  • Snacks
  • Meals
  • Things Outside
  • Rooms
  • Kitchen Items
  • Bathroom Items
  • Bedroom Items
  • Family Room Items

A nice little feature for those studying Latin is that the Latin words include the genitive ending and the gender of the noun (very handy!).

Power-Glide has made available a page of games to use with these cards which can be viewed on their website http://www.power-glide.com/games You can also view sample cards by clicking here. A verb set is also available.

Additional notes: 

201 full-color 4 x 6 inch cards plus 2 audio CDs

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
3-17-05

First Start French

Student Edition
First Start French from Memoria Press
Author(s): 
Danielle L. Schultz
Number of pages: 
128 pages
Copyright: 
2007
ISBN: 
1930953658
Publisher: 
Memoria Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Foreign Language
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Resource Type: 
Workbook
Review: 
I learned to speak French YEARS ago. I was blessed to go to a bi-lingual Catholic grammar school where French was a large part of the day. I didn't take French in high school, college or graduate school; that said, I still remember songs and rhymes and simple vocabulary learned many years ago. First Start French is a wonderful, gentle start to teaching and learning this lovely language. The author, Danielle Schultz, wrote the 36 lessons for her daughter when she couldn't find a suitable language program. This one has all the aspects -- in a broad-brushstroke way -- necessary for gently introducing French to anyone grade 3-6 or so. Each lesson includes a quote (perfect for copywork practice), 10-15 vocabulary words, grammar, dialogue and exercises. The exercises in the student book include a translation from English to French, grammar practice (conjugations and form changes), and other activities that reinforce the lessons-to-date. There is a CD available that includes pronunciation of the words in each lesson as well as six French songs (I still remember these songs from grammar school). A teacher's manual completes the set. Memoria Press sells the pieces bundled together or individually (which is nice if you have more than one student and therefore need more than one workbook). At the end of this first book, the author includes the French versions of the Sign of the Cross, Glory Be, Our Father and Hail Mary. I really like that! My plan is to introduce French to my rising 6th grader this next Fall using this program and supplementing with simple French picture books, movies with the language choice set to French, and on-line help. I don't expect him to know French by the end of the year, but by doing a lesson each week, he should have a start on appreciating both French and the need to understand English grammar.
Perspective: 
Protestant
Additional notes: 

The teacher book has very well-written supplementary notes for teaching each lesson.

There is a Level 2 set now available.

Reviewed by: 
Mary C. Gildersleeve
First reviewed: 
4-30-2010