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Christian Heritage Art Program

Book cover: 'Christian Heritage Art Program'
Author(s): 
Sr. Marie Vianney Hamilton, O.P.
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
When my friend came back from a Catholic homeschooling conference she was excited to present this set of DVDs to me, since I teach art at our local co-op. I shared in her excitement even before previewing it: a complete elementary school art curriculum, written by a Nashville Dominican sister? Wow. The Christian Heritage Art Program, as far as this reviewer knows, is the only complete elementary school art program available that teaches art from a Catholic perspective. It is a set of 8 DVDs, one for each grade, all following the same set of six lessons: Prehistoric, Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, 17th and 18th centuries, and Modern. A very professional couple of narrators takes viewers into the world of art history and art appreciation. This is the strong point of this curriculum: the narration is pleasant and the presentation excellent, and religion elements are often brought up, as opposed to secular programs. As every lesson depicts many beautiful, famous works of art, this program could be used simply for art history and appreciation and would still be worth owning! A teacher manual CD offers step-by-step directions, extra lecture and discussion content for each lesson, and include lists of materials, tips on class preparation and enrichment. Eight DVDs for grades 1-8 and one instruction CD, able to be purchased separately or as a set. Catholic Heritage Curricula is the only Catholic catalog offering this program at this time as far as I know. I quote from their site:
It is different. The Christian Heritage Art Program is the only art curriculum which integrates art appreciation, art activities, and Christian culture. The author does not hesitate to credit a French abbot with promoting the preservation of the prehistoric art of the Lascaux Caves, discussing the importance of Medieval Madonnas, or telling of Henri Matisse's great pride in the windows he designed for a chapel in Vence, France.
Although the set is in DVD format, it is important to note that the frames are all still. Also, the samples of student work are not very attractive in most cases. I chose, many times, to stop the DVD after the narration was over and tell students myself about the project in question. These were sometimes similar, sometimes very different from the ones suggested in the DVDs.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
7-9-2008

Christian Kids Explore Chemistry

Author(s): 
Ridlon
Number of pages: 
384 pages
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
This book, written for fourth-eighth grade, provides an introduction to the different topics in Chemistry. Written from a general Christian perspective, there is nothing in the book that would pose a problem for Catholic readers. While the book appears hefty at 384 pages, the extra wide 3 inch margins, space devoted to clip art and blank pages that run throughout the book result in a light weight approach to chemistry. Each topic is briefly explained in three-five paragraphs (250- 500 words on average) and is followed by a short “Review It” section made up of fill in the blank questions. A very simple hands-on activity is included with each topic and is followed by a “Think about it” page including two to four short questions for reflection. The “Think about it” questions stand alone on the 8 ½ by 11 page. This book, which could easily be completed over an eight week period of time, would be most suitable as a read aloud to introduce a fifth or sixth grader to the study of Chemistry. While some of the topics in the book are included in high school texts, the information in this book is brief and lacks the depth that would make it a complete elementary science program. Available from Bright Ideas Press www.brightideaspress.com
Perspective: 
Judeo-Christian
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1-09-2006

Christmas Turtles

Book cover: Christmas Turtles
Author(s): 
Sara Ann Denson
Illustrator(s): 
Tara McMillen
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
2006
ISBN: 
9780976901761
Publisher: 
Purple Sky Publishing
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

This is a simple, charming and true story, from the author's own childhood, of a grandmother and her four grandchildren, for whom she makes Christmas Turtles each year with the pecans from her own yard.

The children discover the real "magic" that goes into making these favorite treats and how very much their grandmother really loves them. A recipe for the turtles is included in the back!

The layout of the pages is unusual. The typeface is quite large and the illustrations look like they were drawn by the narrator, the author as a young girl. My son complained about the faces at first, but once I read it aloud to all of my "middles" (ages 4-11), they all REALLY loved it and especially can't wait to make some turtles themselves.

The book came into our lives at a perfect time, when we're trying to move toward more homemade gifts for Christmas and for making more time during the busy holidays to do things like baking with the children.

Available from your local bookstore.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
11-30-06

Christopher's Talks to Catholic Children

Book cover: Christopher's Talks to Catholic Children
Author(s): 
David L. Greenstock
Number of pages: 
378 pages
Copyright: 
1944
ISBN: 
9781930873322
Publisher: 
Neumann Press
Binding: 
Sewn Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

What a beautiful book! Do you imagine teaching the catechism to your children through stories and illustrations? This is the book to use. Christopher's Talks to Catholic Children is a book of stories for children from the youngest ages up through elementary school. Written in the first person with a friendly, gentle tone, each story is a beautifully-presented lesson in the whole of the catechism. Even better, the author has included simple line drawings in the stories that he recommends be drawn by the storyteller during the telling of the story and copied by the children to help them remember the lesson.

This edition is actually the two original books bound into one volume. Book 1 contains stories on such topics as God, the Angels, the sin of Adam and Eve, actual grace, the sacraments, baptism, confirmation, the resurrection and the ascension. Book 2 continues with lessons on the other sacraments, the communion of saints, the Holy Souls, the Mass, and each of the commandments, in terms that can be easily understood by children. There is one section after Book 1 titled "For Grown-ups Only" that gives many teaching hints and notes on the lessons for points that may be confusing to children. The section at the end of Book 2 gives specific guidance for the preparation of children for First Penance and First Communion.

I'm delighted to have found this book! It is a wonderful addition to our religion classes and should have a place in every Catholic home. It could be used profitably in homeschools of every description. My only regret is that this book was published in softcover only. It is printed on high-quality, easy-on-the-eyes off-white paper in the style of the books produced by Ignatius Press. I can foresee a lot of wear on the cover when the book is used with several successive children, and I would prefer a hardbound book to keep for the next generation.

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

Citadel of God

A Novel about Saint Benedict
Book cover: 'Citadel of God: A Novel about Saint Benedict'
Author(s): 
Louis de Wohl
Number of pages: 
345 pages
Copyright: 
1959
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Sewn Softcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
Citadel of God is set in Italy of the early 6th century. The Roman Empire is decaying. An Ostrogoth king, Theodoric, is marching in triumph to occupy Italy. A young boy, ward of the respected Roman scholar Boethius, rushes in to stab the barbarian conquerer with a stylus in defense of Old Rome and is rescued from death by a young scholar from Nursia who is called Benedictus.

Against this backdrop, the novel goes on to tell of the lives of Boethius, who becomes governor for the king in spite of his patriotism for the dying Rome; Peter, the young would-be assassin and patriot, who grows up to become a conflicted Byzantine ambassador; and Benedictus, who becomes appalled by the corruption in Roman society and retreats into the wilderness to become a hermit. Eventually he founds several monasteries and travels to Montecassino. He drives out pagan sorcerers, works miracles and founds a monastery that truly became a "Citadel of God" that stood against paganism and Arianism, while the scholar Boethius is jailed and executed by the increasingly paranoid king, after writing The Consolation of Philosophy.

This book is strongly and vividly written, telling an epic tale of several famous lives intertwined during this unstable and critical time in the history of Christendom. The reading and interest level are suitable for ages 14 and up; however, the emotional maturity level may be somewhat higher. There are a couple of scenes, as when a Roman lady tries to seduce the young Benedictus, or a corrupt Christian priest converses with his mistress, that though not overly graphic might be unsuitable to some young readers.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
3-26-01

City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction

Author(s): 
David Macaulay
Number of pages: 
112 pages
Copyright: 
1974
Publisher: 
HarperCollins
Binding: 
Sewn Softcover
Subject(s): 
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
Artist, author and scientist David Macaulay presents a fascinating account of the founding, building and development of a fictional Ancient Roman city. Don't be thrown off by the "fictional" part. We don't know this many details of any particular Roman city, so the author has gathered facts and details from various cities and formed them into one complete story. They are carefully researched and accurately portrayed in detailed black and white drawings. The focus is on how the architecture works (Roman Arches, aqueducts, layout, plumbing, etc.) but also covers quite a bit of historical and cultural information. Although the text is geared toward mid to upper grade school, it will be enjoyed by younger children as a read aloud and is suitable for older readers as well.

Additional notes: 

Various editions available

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
2-27-01

Classical Writing: Aesop

Book cover: 'Classical Writing: Aesop'
Author(s): 
Tracy Davis Gustilo
Lene Mahler Jaqua
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

If you are attracted to the classical method of teaching composition, by analyzing and imitating excellent literature, but have struggled with implementing your own program, then this is the writing series for you. Meticulously thought through and well organized, Classical Writing: Aesop combines structure with flexibility. It can be used with multiple ages in the homeschool and, though designed for beginning writers in grades 1-5, can be adapted for older ages. It uses homeschool-friendly methods such as copywork, dictation, literary discussion and narration, as building blocks for composition skills.

Classical Writing: Aesop is the first in a proposed series which will cover the various steps of the progymnasata (literally "preliminary exercises") by which classical and medieval students were taught to write in a variety of different modes. Classical Writing: Aesop covers the first exercise in the progymnasata, narration of fables. The child learns to retell simple fables and tales in his own words, adding dialogue and description in easy increments over the course of the curriculum. This is the "imitation" component.

The analysis component of the course, in which the literature selection is carefully gone over at several different levels, can be adjusted to the level of the student(s). A week's routine is divided into (1) introducing and discussing the model (2) word skills (3) sentence skills (4) copywork or easy dictation. A beginner would practice basic phonics and learn about how to tell a sentence. A more advanced student would practice beginning dictionary skills and learn the parts of speech. Though a supplemental grammar book is recommended, Classical Writing contains teaching tips and content for all the formal grammar that is needed at this level.

There are plenty of charts to help with the organization of the course. Appendices include some sample fables and tales to use as models, and even a sample 36-week syllabus for busy moms who want to pick up the book and go rather than write their own lesson plans (though a sample lesson plan template is included, too). There is even a description of how the authors, both homeschooling mothers of four, use the program with their own children, with examples of narrative exercises by their children of various ages.

This is not intended to be a self-teaching curriculum. It is meant for the homeschooling parent to use *with* children. It is suggested that half an hour per day be spent on each of the components of the course, analysis and imitation, four days a week. The authors believe that composition is a formative skill, and should be guided: "training in speech and writing cannot be separated from training in virtue". The goal is a "habit of mind" which the students can apply to any writing task. This is a thoroughly Catholic idea – that "academic" skills should be at the service of virtue– that I have not found so well stated and carried through in any other writing curriculum. I am looking forward to using this program with my grade school children, and have already adapted elements of it for use with my older children.

The book is available in a Kinko's copy, or in a PDF file that can be downloaded from the internet. The PDF file is probably the most versatile, since multiple copies of the sample models can be printed out for use with more than one child. See below for the Classical Writing website, which also has a link to a message board for support of this product.

The authors also offer Traditional Tales - Models for Classical Writing, a sourcebook of 36 fables and traditional tales to use with the composition course. The models include fairytales, Scripture, history stories by James Baldwin, in addition to fables by Aesop: all excellent literature which can be read by the fluent primary age child. This book is not an essential companion to Classical Writing, since the sources are all in the public domain and can be found online (some URLs are listed in the handbook). Still, it is a savings of time and effort for the homeschool mom to have them selected and right at one's fingertips. Downloadable PDF format and Kinko's copy format both available from Classical Writing.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
11-8-03

Cleared for Action

Book cover: Cleared for Action
Author(s): 
Stephen Meader
Number of pages: 
639 pages
Copyright: 
1940
ISBN: 
9781883937553
Publisher: 
Bethlehem Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

This "Budget Book" offers four full-length stories in one volume...

Clear for Action by Stephen Meader (copyright 1940) Clear for Action tells of American sailing at the beginning of the War of 1812. Jeff Robbins is a young sailor from Maine, taking his first voyage aboard a cargo schooner bound for the Carribean. All aboard are nervous about being overtaken by British vessels who have been intercepting ships, blocking harbors and making trouble all along the Atlantic Coast. Jeff's world is turned upside down when their schooner is apprehended and he and several of his shipmates are forced into service on a British frigate. Clear for Action is an interesting and worthwhile adventure story that provides all kinds of insightful angles on the War of 1812 and offers a unique contrast to very-British Midshipman Quinn collection. The story wraps up amidst interesting plot-twists – a deserted island, buried treasure and big plans.

Reviewed 4-29-02

Whaler Round the Horn by Stephen Meader (copyright 1950)

Stephen Meader's "whaling yarn" brings to life the exciting and dangerous adventures of a New England whaleboat sailing all the way around Cape Horn (at the tip of South America) to the Pacific Ocean. Young Rodney Glenn, an orphan from New Hampshire, has always wanted to be a whaler, and we follow him aboard his first time at sea. Everything is new and exciting to his young eyes and young people of today will readily relate to his adventures.

Historically speaking, it's nice to find a story that gives an honest look at the interesting but sometimes ugly world of whaling without the politically correct shock and contempt with which whalers of the past are generally treated today. This was uniquely important to me in that one of my great-great-great grandfathers was a Portuguese whaler from the Azores. The first time I told my daughter about this ancestor (who was also a third order Carmelite) she reacted with disgust, given her great interest in whales and the number of books and shows on whales she had eagerly digested.

In addition to the whale theme which contains undercurrents of Moby Dick, 19th Century Hawaii provides a unique contrast with the home port in New England and the main character's adventures through massive storms (the Perfect Storm has little on this), harrowing escapes from the "jaws of death" and adventures on a deserted stretch of one of the Hawaiian Islands make for a memorable and engaging story.

Reviews of the other two stories in the Budget Book Cleared for Action by Stephen Meader will be forthcoming.

Additional notes: 

Copyrights 1940-1950

This book was donated for review by Bethlehem Books

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
2-22-03

Close to the Wind

The Beaufort Scale
Author(s): 
Peter Malone
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
2007
ISBN: 
0399243992
Publisher: 
Putnam Juvenile
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
Sometimes your casual pick-up-what-looks-good from the library hits jackpot--last week it was one of those instances for us. Close to the Wind by Peter Malone gets very close to being the picture book par excellence. In every aspect, this gem brings the very best of the world of picture books: beautiful, detail-rich illustrations, a captivating story, plenty of educational content, and great use of visual diagrams, side notes and explanatory illustrations. Good picture books, I am always exclaiming, are so helpful in the homeschool. What did we know about the Beaufort Scale before this find? Next to nil. Now, not only we learned about the useful scale that measures wind based on detailed observations, we also learned information on ship-building, sails, the life of sailors, curious entries in sailor's glossary, how many trees are cut down to build a ship, and the sad destiny of many ships after their many years of service.
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
2-21-2008

Cobra Island

Book cover: 'Cobra Island'
Author(s): 
Rev. Neil Boyton, S.J.
Number of pages: 
151 pages
Copyright: 
1922
Publisher: 
Saint Aidan Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
Frank Gaze, known by his friends as Scouty, is accompanying his father on a trip to India during World War I. When an enemy vessel destroys their ship and all on board must flee in lifeboats, Scouty is separated from his father. He and his companions become separated from the other lifeboats and are forced to land on a deserted island in the Indian Ocean. All his spiritual training as a devout Catholic and physical training as a boy scout are put to the test as he is faced with comforting several men on their death-beds, finding food and shelter in the wild and handling the dangers of venemous cobras and dangerous enemies.

The story is a fun read, especially for boys (ages 12 and up). It is written in a first-person narrative and in a rather humorous and informal style (a little reminiscent of P.G. Wodehouse, even though the story is American, not British).

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

This title was donated for review by St. Aidan Press

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
7-4-02

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