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Learning Styles Test and Evaluation
I just had three of my children (grades 1, 3 and 6) tested for learning styles through Mercy Academy. The test is quite simple and has to do with likes, dislikes, ways of interacting and how they think about problems. Older children can take the test on their own, while younger ones might need a little supervision. I was very impressed with the thoroughness and usefulness of the analysis and evaluation given.
Each of my children received a unique 7-10 page analysis based on five different "preferences and modes of learning":
- General mode of interacting with the world
- Method of taking in information and viewing the world
- Center of influence in decision-making
- Method of organizing information about the world
- Preference for processing information
The analysis includes: main personality characteristics, tips for the best environment for them to study in, detailed guidance on modes of presentation and potential intellectual/moral pitfalls, ideas for handling problems they have with learning, and important skill areas to develop. This written analysis is followed by lists of "Key Points to Remember", types of materials that work best, things to avoid and sample curriculum recommendations (with an emphasis on Catholic materials where possible!).
Although any one of my children individually would have benefitted greatly from my application of the results of this test, it was particularly fascinating to have three children tested and compare the results. The entire report is highly customized for each child according to the five key factors listed above. The accuracy of the points and ideas in each analysis astounded me. While I was vaguely aware of the differences between auditory and visual learners, reading these results opened a whole new world and a much better sense of the big picture of what my children need and how I can best help them. (I even learned a bit about myself in various pieces by seeing my own traits in my children!) While some pieces of my children's learning styles were merely expanded and reinforced, there were some ideas that were new to me (like different needs in terms of study environment) that we've been implementing with great success. Some of the types of details that have come up include: need for discussion time with parents, balance between textbooks and more unconventional methods of learning, competition, and pointers on avoiding distraction and frustration for each child.
Reading these evaluations and beginning the process of implementation has been both challenging and encouraging at the same time. Challenging because I can see a number of the pitfalls and difficult areas more clearly. Encouraging because I more fully understand that unusual traits aren't necessarily negative or abnormal, but can be worked with successfully and even beneficial when fully appreciated.
The test and evaluations were put together by a Catholic homeschool mother of 6 with a PhD in Psychology and many years of experience in homeschooling her own children and counseling other homeschool families.
Learning to Appreciate Art
Used with the Catholic Heritage Curricula Fourth Grade Lesson Plans
This lovely, well-written art resource offers an excellent introduction to composition, perspective and form; various kinds of art (mosaic, fresco, sculpture, etc.); a brief history of early art (including cave paintings, Egyptian and Greek art); and a detailed account of a number of major artists of the Renaissance and pre-Renaissance (Giotto, Fra Angelico, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael). Through art reproductions, simple line drawings and engaging text, the child will be drawn into a surprisingly in-depth way of looking at a work of art. I was especially impressed by the "Appreciating Art" segments that follow the works of some of the artists. These give step-by-step ideas, questions and hints to get more out of each picture and learn to appreciate the strengths and uniquenesses of each artist.
The individual art reproductions - representing the Master artists listed above as well as examples of different historical periods and types of art, are intended to be placed in the book by the student (there is a miniature black and white reproduction of each piece so the task is quite easy to do). This type of active involvement helps a child to take the material "for their very own" in a way that simply reading and looking at a book doesn't always accomplish. The Catholic material is interesting and well-connected to the subject - especially in a world where most children's art materials are devoid of religious or even classical subjects.
What our family did was to move this appendix into its own binder. We laminated the art reproductions and keep them in the back of the binder to allow our children to match them up with the appropriate spot over and over again (a Montessori sort of thing to do). It also allows older and younger siblings to enjoy this resource. This is a really lovely resource - one of the nicest materials I've come across in awhile. I learned some new things from the text too. Do you know why Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper was so faded in comparison with other works from the same general time period (like the Sistine Chapel)? Or why the very famous pair of thoughtful angel cherubs were placed at the bottom of the Sistine Madonna by Raphael? Well, I won't tell you, but you'll find these and lots of other interesting tidbits in this very nice and highly recommended text.
Learning Wrap-Ups for Pre-Algebra: Introductory Kit
Each of five sets in this kit have 10 plastic key-shaped cards that fan-out at a pivot point. A sturdy string attached to the pivot point is pulled through a hole in the card. The student then wraps the string from the first problem to the answer, around the back of the card to the next problem, etc. After completing the card, you turn the card over. If the string matches with the lines on the back, all the answers are correct.
The five sets drill the following materials:
Addition & Subtraction of Positive and Negative Numbers Sample problem: (-9)-(-2)=t
Multiplication & Division of Positive and Negative Numbers Sample problem: (-7)x(-12)=p
Solving for the Unknown (Working with Variables) Sample problem: (-42)-z=(-3)
Understanding Algebraic Expressions Sample problem: Given x=7, evaluate 8x-7
Mental Math, Prime Factors, Perfect Squares, Square Roots, Formulas for Area, Perimeter and Volume Sample problem: Find the square root of 289
Our family has enjoyed the Learning Wrap-ups as a nice way to drill facts. I'm impressed with the thought that has gone into the equations. My 6th grade daughter has found this set a little challenging (more appropriate for 7th and 8th grade), but a welcome change from her textbook.
Learning Wrap-Ups: Basic Math Introductory Kit
These colorful key-shaped plastic flash cards allow students to practice basic Math skills by wrapping a string around the ribbed edges of each card to identify the correct answer. (Cards are attached together on a pivot point in groupings of 10 cards organized by operation.) The cards are cleverly self-correcting – when the child finishes each card, they simply flip it over; when all answers are correct, the string will match the diagram on the back of the card. The basic operations sets are simple equations where you match the equation to the correct answer. For the fractions set, you are matching equivalent fractions – pictures to fractions, pictures to pictures and fractions to fractions – plus a few simple equations which involve adding and subtracting fractions.
We have found this to be a great way for our children to practice their basic math facts. They are colorful and appealing and offer a welcome change from regular book-work.
Please note when ordering this product that there are many varieties of this product – some including CDs or workbooks, or even large classroom size sets. The set reviewed here retails for about $45-$50 (in 2024) and contains 5 flash-card sets – Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division and Fractions.
Also see the Learning Wrap Ups website for more details and an animated demo.
Another reviewer (Suchi Myjak) notes: One of my sons is a highly visual learner, so much so that he managed to memorize the patterns that the strings made on the fronts of the keys. He could "do" the wrap-ups incredibly fast, but was not actually learning the facts. Parents may want to occasionally check the student's math facts in some other way to ensure that they are really getting learning. The wrap-ups did work well for my other children.
Learning Wrap-Ups: Spanish Introductory Kit
Our family has been enjoying Learning Wrap-Ups in a variety of subjects to drill and practice basic concepts. Each set consists of ten key-shaped plastic flash cards attached at a pivot-point with a string to wrap back and forth from question to answer. After finishing each key, simply look at the back to be sure the string matches up with the self-correcting answer key. I love how my children can study independently with these sets AND they can be used over and over again. They are sturdier and more self-contained than ordinary flash-cards (and don't get lost under the couches!). Learning Wrap-Ups may be purchased one set at a time or in money-saving multi-set kits.
The Spanish Introductory Kit includes four flashcard sets:
Learning Words: Each of these cards involves matching pictures to Spanish words. Subjects covered are: parts of the body, school words, clothing, food, animals, family members, household objects, outdoors and transportation.
Talking Basics: Match numerals, symbols and pictures to Spanish words. Some are in the format of simple fill-in-the-blank sentences. Subjects covered: counting, months of the year, action words, miscellaneous objects, more parts of the body, opposites, directional words, holidays and week days, and telling time.
Making Statements: This set uses simple fill-in-the-blank sentences to practice vocabulary in the following subject areas: fruit, things you can read about (also practices plural endings), miscellaneous objects (while practicing using "an" before vowel words and using "a" before consonant words"), things we wear, objects in a living room, more action words, money and stating a need.
Asking Questions: Topics include: Observing zoo animals, tools and equipment, occupations, places, science class materials, vegetables, miscellaneous nouns, bathroom items, kitchen items, and shopping.
The pocket-sized 31 page booklet provides the English translations for each of the Learning Wrap-Ups (the Wrap-Ups themselves do not use any English). We've found this to be a great place to start studying (particularly when I'm doing things with my children in a group). My children line up and enjoy acting out the Spanish words while they're learning them. The booklet is really handy for oral quizzing as well. The children go back to the Learning Wrap-Ups for independent study. The set also includes two audio tapes. (We haven't really used these yet as we tend to do our oral work together. I'm sure it will be handy for further independent study at some point.)
Kit includes: 4 sets of plastic flash cards, one teaching booklet and two audio tapes
This product was donated for review by Learning Wrap-Ups Inc.
Legends of Saints and Beasts
What a lovely book! Legends of Saints and Beasts retells the stories of four saints and their associations with animals. Included in this beautiful hardbound collection are the stories of Saint Jerome and the lion, Saint Roch and his dog, Saint Francis and the Wolf, and Saint Macarius and the hyena. The text is written in a decorative style in which capital letters are colored in a pattern reminiscent of medieval texts, and the colorful line-drawn illustrations are charming. The choice of vocabulary also has an old-world feeling to it that adds a great deal to the stories' style but puts the independent reading level probably from fourth grade and up. The final three pages of the book contain more detailed background information about the lives of these saints, making this an even more special book. Highly recommended!
Copyrights 1954/2000
Leonardo da Vinci for Kids: His Life and Ideas
Leonardo da Vinci has long been considered the paradigm "Renaissance Man". Through this book, he offers children a great example of enthusiastic love of life and learning. Readers will come away with a greater perspective on and respect for many important ideas: the importance and joy of learning, early advancements in science, general concepts of art and how to appreciate it, basic scientific concepts, ideas for using the imagination and memory, concepts in math relating to science, Renaissance life and much more.
I was impressed with the care the author took in relating so many interesting ideas in an accessible and engaging manner. I found difficult concepts handled graciously and respectfully - particularly for the intended age level. For example, the reader will learn that da Vinci's parents were never married and that this had consequences on his career choices. We learn that da Vinci dissected dead bodies at the morgue for the sake of artistic and scientific learning. At one point the Pope prohibits him from continuing this mode of study. Instead of being judgemental about these sorts of issues or dwelling on them inappropriately, they are explained in clear, simple terms as relevant parts of the story, but without any extra nonsense.
This would make an excellent "spine" text for a study of the Renaissance. In addition to the text and side bars, there are 21 activities relating in various ways to da Vinci's life. They span a wide range: baking, drawing, math, science, painting, observing, language and more. The book is best for independent reading in 6th grade and up. It could be read-aloud to younger children. Most of the activities are suitable for any school-age children.
Enthusiastically recommended!
Donated for review by Chicago Review Press
Leonardo Paintings and Drawings: 24 Cards
24 Postcards in perforated book
Most homeschoolers are familiar with the Montessori-style idea of having children learn to enjoy and appreciate great paintings by studying small post-card size reproductions (especially as promoted by Aline Wolf in Mommy It's a Renoir). This is a very nice program, as I understand it, but I've been frustrated with the lack of beautiful painting collections in postcard size. You can find them here and there at museums, but they have been very difficult to purchase on the web or from catalog. Dover Publications is beginning to fill that gap with some beautiful postcard collections, but Leonardo is my favorite so far.
The set includes 13 reproductions of paintings: Madonna with the Carnation (1475), The Virgin and Child with St. Anne (1508), Bacchus (circa 1513), Portrait of Ginerva de'Benci (circa 1478), The Last Supper - detail (1495-1497), The Benois Madonna (circa 1478), The Annunciation - detail (circa 1472), St. John the Baptist (circa 1513-1516), Portrait of Cecilia Gallerani a.k.a. Lady with an Ermine (circa 1490), Madonna of the Yarnwinder (1501), Madonna Litta (circa 1490), Mona Lisa (1503-1506), and Portrait of a Musician (circa 1490).
There are 11 beautiful drawings as well: The Virgin and Child with St. Anne, Profile of a Young Woman, Antique Warrior, Self-Portrait, Five Grotesque Heads, The Virgin of the Rocks, Vitruvian Man, Study for the Last Supper and Architectural Sketches, Old Man and Youth, Study for the Battle of Anghiari and Feminine Headdress.
This is a great and inexpensive way to introduce children to really great art. Also would make a nice supplement to Leonardo da Vinci for Kids.
Lesson Planner
Can a practical, hard-working tool designed for everyday use also be inspiring and elegant? The CHC Lesson Planner is just such a tool. Developed to be used with the CHC Middle School Lesson Plan Guide, it is completely useful at any grade level and with any curriculum. This inexpensive plan book is consumable and designed for all subjects for one student for one academic year. This unusual feature supports the CHC philosophy that a student should gradually grow into independent study; having their own planner helps the student to take pride in their growing ability to work productively and independently. The Planner is specifically for a Catholic teacher and student, with reminders of Feast Days in the planning reminders and other Catholic references throughout.
Clear, uncluttered pages are printed using an easy-on-the-eye brown ink. They are spiral bound in a lay-flat presentation with a "jelly-proof"cover. The inside covers concisely lay out the CHC curriculum suggestions for grades 5-8. The Planner is designed for four nine-week quarters and begins with a "Welcome" section that provides help and advice for the start of a new school year. Warm and encouraging, there are specific suggestions for the entire family as well as the middle school-aged student. Each quarter's section begins with a well-organized planning guide, an independent study chart (described in the Middle School Lesson Plan Guide in detail, but a completed sample is provided), and a motivating reflection for the homeschool teacher to ponder throughout the quarter. Each school week is laid out on a two-page spread with a grid for 8 subjects or goals over 5 days. A sample of a completed week is provided. Each week's spread also includes a section for notes and, my favorite, a motivational reflection that is either a helpful hint, useful advice, or a Biblical quotation. This book helps to make planning an enjoyable task as well as a concise documentation of the student's work for the entire school year.