No name

Christ and the Americas

Book cover: 'Christ and the Americas'
Author(s): 
Anne W. Carroll
Number of pages: 
440 pages
Copyright: 
1997
Publisher: 
TAN Books and Publishers
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
Christ and the Americas is a high school American history text by the same author as Christ the King, Lord of History It is difficult to describe in a paragraph or two a book that covers so much. The book is packed with stories and information about major aspects of American history, from the ancient civilizations of the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas, to post-Cold War America. Unlike many texts which dwell almost exclusively on the U.S., we learn about the conquests, explorations and revolutions of the countries of central and South America as well (although there isn't very much about Canada). The book includes major events and people in American history without neglecting the contributions of notable Catholics, and also without being a book exclusively about Catholics. Government policies and social concerns (such as slavery, abortion, immigration and government welfare programs) are addressed from a Catholic viewpoint and discussed in the context of contemporary papal encyclicals. On a practical note: World Wars I and II are addressed in this book from the viewpoint of the role the U.S. played in them. These sections are VERY informative, but will be better understood only after studying these time periods in a more in-depth fashion in a World history text such as Christ the King, Lord of History by the same author. Christ and the Americas is highly recommended for both teenagers and adults - it reads almost like a novel. Each chapter includes review questions and some project ideas. The text is not illustrated, except for maps where appropriate (and these are very helpful). Also includes a complete index.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
3-25-2000

Christ the King Lord of History

Book cover: 'Christ the King Lord of History'
Author(s): 
Anne W. Carroll
Number of pages: 
474 pages
Copyright: 
1986
Publisher: 
TAN Books and Publishers
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
This very interesting and readable World History text covers the beginnings of History through the early reign of Pope John Paul II from a Catholic perspective. Old Testament History, the great ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome, the Life of Christ, the growth of the Church, the Great Heresies, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the "Reformation" and Counter-Reformation, the French Revolution, the Age of Napoleon, World War I, the Russian Revolution and World War II are all included in fascinating details. Essential events of World History are included in addition to tidbits of Catholic History that are hard to find elsewhere.

The Controversy: We're not supposed to "whitewash" the Catholic Church's role in History. The fact that there have been many bad Catholics and that bad things have been done in the name of the Catholic faith cannot be ignored. Anne Carroll seems to agree with this principle. Why the controversy then? According to Mrs. Carroll, many events that the Modern World believes should be blamed on Catholics are in fact Protestant myths, designed to make Catholics look bad, or other misrepresentations or misunderstandings of the facts. Some of her facts contradict other Catholic sources, such as the Catholic Encyclopedia, on such hot-button issues as the Spanish Inquisition. A number of Catholic homeschoolers find this very troubling. Some I've talked to have been so upset at their perception of a "whitewashing" of Catholic history that they are avoiding this text altogether. I disagree with this position because I believe that Mrs. Carroll genuinely believes that what she has written is true and that she is not attempting to hide the faults of the Church. I understand that some homeschoolers also prefer her husband, Warren Carroll's History of Christendom series, because it is highly annotated to support his claims and provide further reference.

I think it's important to understand that History is a very complex thing. For our understanding of History, we are always relying upon someone else's facts. Within the Catholic Church, there are many issues which are not agreed upon, and the Church doesn't say that you have to believe this or that side. I think this is a good concept for children (especially high schoolers) to understand. I would suggest having your children use this text, but discuss these important issues before you embark on your journey, and have them read materials from other Catholic sources as well.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

Copyrights 1976/1986/1994

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
3-25-2000

Christ the King, Lord of History - Answer Key

Author(s): 
Rachel Szilagyi
Copyright: 
2002
ISBN: 
0971889503
Publisher: 
By Way of the Family Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
(for the textbook written by Anne Carroll and reviewed above)

Which busy homeschooling mother couldn't use some extra time in her day? I used to avoid purchasing answer keys and other helps, thinking that the money was better spent in other ways. As my family has grown and my children's work has become more time-consuming and difficult, I have found real value and genuine time savings in having a well-produced answer key. I'm still able to correct first grade math without a key, but not high school history!

This new book will be a wonderful blessing to families who use this popular textbook, and I can't imagine being without it now. I'm sure that we would all agree that it is very important to check a student's work as quickly as possible to give useful feedback. Because the textbook questions are primarily short-answer and not multiple-choice and true-false questions, this process can be very time-consuming. If you do as I do and get interested in what you are reading, it takes even longer!

This key is organized by chapter, making it immediately useful no matter where in the text your student happens to be working. The answers to the chapter-end questions are precise and detailed, giving the optimal response to the question rather than a simplified version that a student might hastily write. Quotations from the textbook itself are used liberally to support the answers given. Highly recommended!

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
8-21-02

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

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