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Spelling for Young Catholics

Subject(s): 
Spelling
Review: 

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.

First reviewed: 
07/20/2007

Spelling Power

Book cover: Spelling Power
Author(s): 
Beverly L. Adams-Gordon
Number of pages: 
344 pages
Copyright: 
1999
ISBN: 
9781888827194
Publisher: 
Castlemoyle Books
Subject(s): 
Spelling
Review: 

This review of Spelling Power includes a comparison with Phonetic Zoo and My Catholic Speller.

Spelling Power is a single volume, non-consumable resource for teaching spelling to children (and adults) of all ages. It includes over 5,000 spelling words organized by rule and difficulty level, dozens of activities to help the child remember the correct spelling, extensive notes explaining how and why the program was designed and a clear explanation of how the program is to be used.

Unique to this program is the built in review of misspelled words and the use of words that are most frequently misspelled by students on essay exams. Students also study only those words that they don't know, unlike other programs that require the student to study both familiar and unfamiliar words.

The program begins with the student taking a placement test to determine what "level" they will be using. Following placement, the student spends 15 minute each day studying spelling. Each session begins with the parent reads a list of words to the student for 5 minutes. The student spends the next 5 minutes going through a series of review stages with the misspelled words that research has found helps students retain the correct spelling. The final 5 minutes are spent in fun activities that reinforce the correct spelling of misspelled words. We have found that our children, including one who is not naturally a good speller, did not need the last 5 minute activity block.

We have successfully used this program for many years and find it particularly suitable for grades 5-7. The program is flexible in that it allows for words that the child frequently misses on their own school work to be entered on to the spelling list. We've found that in grades 5-7 the children took Spelling Power more seriously then spelling workbooks (that is, they benefited from having the teacher looking over their shoulder while they were spelling to keep them on task) and it allows them to accelerate beyond other spelling programs by focusing on just those words that they don't know how to spell and is therefore time efficient. A drawback to this program is that it is teacher intensive. This is especially a problem for large families. We resolved this problem in our own home by using My Catholic Speller in grades 2-4 and the high school level of Phonetic Zoo when the child had finished level H in Spelling Power.

My Catholic Speller is an excellent spelling program for young children. Not only does it teach them the correct spelling of many words that they will be using in their writing, but it also imparts knowledge of and an interest in our Holy Faith. Our children enjoy using this program and are able to do so independently (after reading the list words aloud with a parent.) After completing Level D, our children have entered the Spelling Power program at above grade level. My Catholic Speller is available from Catholic Heritage Curriculum.

Phonetic Zoo is reviewed separately, however it should be noted that we found Spelling Power to advance children to the high school level of Phonetic Zoo rather quickly. There have been some debates about the appropriateness of the "rules" found in Spelling Power. Phonetic Zoo provides different rules that were quickly learned by our oldest child (who is not naturally a good speller.) At the beginning of eighth grade he worked through the entire Phonetic Zoo high school level in 3 months and was able to apply the spelling rules in his essays. We did a follow up test to the effectiveness of Phonetic Zoo by using the final Spelling Power lists. He missed less then 5% of all words on the last two levels of Spelling Power, and the words missed were rated as college level.

Reviewed by: 
Andrea Chen
First reviewed: 
12-3-01

Spelling Power Activity Task Cards

Book cover: 'Spelling Power Activity Task Cards'
Author(s): 
Beverly L. Adams Gordon
Publisher: 
Castlemoyle Books
Subject(s): 
Spelling
Review: 

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.

Additional notes: 

Teacher's Manual included

Reviewed by: 
Maureen Wittmann
First reviewed: 
5-16-02

St Monica: Model of Christian Mothers

Author(s): 
F.A. Forbes
Number of pages: 
106 pages
Copyright: 
1915
Publisher: 
TAN Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Biographies
Religion
Setting: 
Early Church
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 6-8
Review: 
This book tells of the life of St. Monica (332-387 A.D.), mother of St Augustine of Hippo. As a young girl in a Christian family, she heard the stories of the early martyrs and asked God to let her suffer for Him. Her prayer was granted in an unexpected way as she became the wife of a pagan and the mother of a son who, though brilliant and talented, soon fell into sinful ways and in time adopted the heretical beliefs of the Manichees. For many years, Monica prayed and wept for her son -- "It is not possible that the son of such tears should perish" a bishop told her - and she had the joy of seeing her husband, her haughty mother-in-law and finally her son baptized and fervent Christians before she died.

The author, F.A. Forbes, was a nun who converted to Catholicism at the age of 31 and joined a contemplative order. She wrote several other saints' books. This is a short book, and told simply enough so that an 11-year-old could read it, though I would think a slightly older child would get more out of the book. Patricius' infidelity and Augustine's sins of the flesh are referred to only in the most general terms. Included are several prayers to St. Monica, including a litany and a novena.

It could be read as part of a historical study of the early Church or as a devotional reading. It would also be a good book for mothers to turn to when they are weary of the inevitable frustrations of being a wife and mother - and daughter in law! St Monica's perseverance and continual turning to God for strength make her, indeed, the model of Christian mothers.

Suitable for ages 11 and up.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Willa Ryan
First reviewed: 
1998-99

St. Patrick's Summer

A Children's Adventure Catechism
Book cover: 'St Patricks Summer'
Author(s): 
Marigold Hunt
Illustrator(s): 
Theodore Schluenderfritz
Number of pages: 
288 pages
Copyright: 
2005
ISBN: 
0192883292
Publisher: 
Sophia Institute Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Miscellaneous Religion Materials
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Review: 
I recently read St. Patrick's Summer aloud to my children. They absolutely loved it! Frequently, they begged for "just a little more," and I enjoyed it so much that I often obliged. The set-up: Michael and Cecelia need help preparing for their First Holy Communions, but Mrs. Murphy, their teacher, is at her wits' end. She says their questions would stump a bishop. So she asks St. Patrick to help and he does so in a most unusual way: by appearing to the children, showing them events from the past, and answering their questions. As we read, I was delighted to discover:
  • explanations that really make sense to kids -- and adults
  • Michael and Cecelia are hilariously true-to-life
  • the saints are wonderful characters, full of gentle humor and fun -- people I would love to have for my friends.
Because this book was originally written more than a half-century ago, the Catholic Church's view on a couple of items has developed since its writing. These points are:
  1. The fate of babies who die unbaptized (ch. 5, pp. 81-2) is presented as definitely lower than that of baptized infants. However, the CCC says (m. 1261):
    As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus' tenderness toward children which caused him to say: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them,"63 allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism.
  2. In the story (also in ch. 5) St Patrick tells the children that the "Supernatural Life" that men from Adam to Jesus had access to was the same as the sanctifying grace of Baptism that we have access to in and through Christ. Whether faith in a future Messiah by those who lived before Christ's passion and death resulted in the same sort of grace as that which results from Baptism now is not clear, and a very difficult matter to understand. To treat it as if it were answered in such a simple fashion is to distort the truth. Such an assertion does not belong in a children's book; it's at best a source of great confusion and could well be false.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

Original copyright 1950

Maria Rioux contributed to this review.

Reviewed by: 
Suchi Myjak
First reviewed: 
2-10-2009

St. Thomas Aquinas

The Dumb Ox
Book cover: 'St. Thomas Aquinas: The Dumb Ox'
Author(s): 
G.K. Chesterton
Number of pages: 
192 pages
Copyright: 
1974
Publisher: 
Image Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Biographies
Saints
Setting: 
13th century
Grade / Age level: 
High School
Adults
Review: 
This little book is interesting. It is NOT the definitive work on St. Thomas. It is NOT a primer on his philosophy. It is an interesting mix of: a story of his life (or rather stories from his life), a little taste of his genius, another taste of what his ideas mean to the world (including how relevant they are today) and ideas about why he was the way he was.

It does not seem adequate to compare it to a TV show but it reminds me of one of those really good PBS documentaries that gets you totally involved in something you didn't ever think was that big a deal.

Chesterton uses these different angles on Thomas and Thomism to leave you in admiration. Here was a man who by his diligence, incredible intelligence and humble love of the Truth contributed clarity to Catholic teaching - and to the WORLD (physical and spiritual). Wielding Aristotle's long forgotten philosophy Thomas makes sense of the World and the Church in a way that is profoundly true and incredibly accessible. Chesterton gives us enough of a taste to seriously whet the appetite and provides enough momentum to carry us past this book right into Thomas himself. Which is perfect. Thomas Aquinas, despite his genius (probably BECAUSE of his genius) can be understood by anyone who can read even this simple book of Chesterton's.

As Thomas was not only brilliant but humble it is fitting that Chesterton imitates the saint in this work by being both insightful and modest. Since, thankfully, Chesterton's prose is both more lucid and more delighful than my own I will defer to Chesterton's own introduction: "This book makes no pretence to be anything but a popular sketch of a great historical character who ought to be more popular. Its aim will be achieved if it leads those who have hardly even heard of St. Thomas Aquinas to read about him in better books." I would go further and suggest the reading of St. Thomas's OWN books - you will be amazed how enlightening, straighforward and refreshing it can be.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
John Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
1-3-05

Stars of Fortune

Author(s): 
Cynthia Harnett
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
16th century
England
Grade / Age level: 
Adults
Mature Teens
Review: 

Set in England, mid 1500s, Catholic perpsective. As explained in the postscript, this book is the author's recreation of a legend surrounding the home belonging to the Washington family (who claims our first president as a descendent). According to the legend, Elizabeth I was once hidden in the house while fleeing pursuers. The story takes place during the tumultous reign of Mary I (eldest offspring of Henry VIII) at which time the "old religion" has been reinstated. (This is a rather subtle backdrop - one of the children notices that their housekeeper - who was a nun in hiding - cried for joy all through the Mass; their father is rebuilding parts of the house to which he secretly adds a small hiding place - presumably for priests in hiding.) Some of the older boys have "romantic" notions of trying to rescue the princess and all sorts of adventures ensue. An enjoyable story in itself, it provides much substance for discussion as well.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Starting with Shakespeare

Successfully Introducing Shakespeare to Children
Author(s): 
Pauline Nelson
Todd Daubert
Number of pages: 
217 pages
Copyright: 
2000
ISBN: 
1563087537
Publisher: 
Teacher Ideas Press
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
Review: 

Unit Study-loving families may find in Starting with Shakespeare a very useful resource! This book is literary filled with Shakespeare-related activities! In the introduction we get to know the authors and their passionate belief in the benefits of bringing Shakespeare to elementary school. They are quite convincing with a top 20 reasons list, secrets for success and even some criticism of how memorization has been dropped from school curricula a long time ago. The introduction also helps the reader understand how the book is organized and what to expect. The first part of the book is entitled "Setting the Stage" and it offers biographical sketches on Shakespeare, very detailed ways to get the students interested, and creative tips for success. The second part presents four William Shakespeare plays, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Macbeth," "Hamlet," and "Romeo and Juliet" introduced for kids in a unique way alongside a plethora of resources and ideas for each one. As the publisher states: "a complete historical background, an introduction to the characters, a retelling of the story, a variety of integrated activities, verses for memorization, a complete script for class performance, and a list of resources accompany each play. Activities extend learning to history, geography, science, art, music, movement, math, and language arts." Each play is explained, character by character, plot, themes, and then told to children in prose with points for discussion in class. The authors encourage the making of a class film or video, as opposed to a performance, stating that it is simpler to use a video camera than setting up a live performance. What I enjoy about this book is that, albeit geared towards elementary school aged kids, it makes plenty of use of genuine Shakespeare language. Each play is also presented in "Will's Words--Selections for recitation", where key excerpts of the play are quoted on top of the page. Obscure words are defined and explained right below under "Say what?", and then a paragraph explains what is going on in plain English under "Kispeak". The illustrations are all made by elementary school students and some of them are quite interesting. All in all this book can be a wealth of resources for homeschool families daring the tackle the Bard of Avon in elementary or middle (or even high) school!

Reviewed by: 
Ana Braga-Henebry
First reviewed: 
1-22-2009

Startwrite Handwriting Software

The Handwriting Worksheet Wizard
Book cover: 'Startwrite Handwriting Software: The Handwriting Worksheet Wizard'
Number of pages: 
0 pages
Copyright: 
1998
Publisher: 
Idea Maker
Subject(s): 
Handwriting
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
Review: 

System Requirements: 16 MB Ram, 20 MB Hard Disk

This is an elegantly simple computer program that resides on your hard drive just like an ordinary word processor. It allows parents and teachers to print out handwriting pages in a variety of handwriting styles, sizes and fonts. Some of your options include:

  • a center dotted line
  • solid text, dotted text, dashed text or text with arrows showing the proper writing direction
  • how dark you want the writing printed
  • a variety of fonts including standard print, italic and cursive
  • Landscape or Portrait orientation
  • how large you want the text to be
We've found this to be a really wonderful resource - particularly for our more reluctant writers. This software has enabled me to type in material from other subjects for handwriting practice (like Catechism or Geography). I love being able to save worksheets for extra practice or to use later on for younger siblings. I can also take the same text and print it out in different sizes for each child. It's quite easy to add pictures for embellishment or for the children to color (you can find lots of pictures on the Internet for these purposes). My children have enjoyed making up worksheets for each other as well.

Please note that the user agreement allows for use on just one computer. They do offer package deals for multiple computers. You can see more about this product at http://www.startwrite.com

Additional notes: 

CD ROM for Windows 95 & above / Mac OS 8.1 & above

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
11-8-04

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