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Power Glide Spanish

Book cover: Power Glide Spanish
Author(s): 
Dr. Robert Blair
Number of pages: 
476 pages
Copyright: 
1995
ISBN: 
9781582042008
Publisher: 
Power Glide Foreign Language Courses
Subject(s): 
Spanish
Resource Type: 
Audio
Review: 

This is an expensive, but in-depth conversational Spanish program that is very popular with homeschoolers. The text, test booklet and workbook come with nine audio tapes or CDs (depending on the option you choose when you purchase the program) and an optional CD ROM and audio CD set. These options should be looked at very carefully when ordering as the operators often don't know which set is which.

Several months ago we decided to invest in a Spanish program. The question was, which one? My children are quite young, but have been exposed to Spanish during our years in San Diego, from stories such as The Lady of Guadalupe and the Josefina Montoya books from the American Girls series, and the Catholic Parish in downtown Milwaukee which we attend most Sundays which has a vibrant Hispanic community. When my oldest daughter (at age 7 1/2) began showing an interest in learning Spanish, my husband and I thought it was important to take advantage of her interest now, especially since childhood is supposed to be an excellent time to introduce a foreign language.

First we looked at the The Learnables, which is another homeschool-friendly program, but which is completely book-bound: the book has only pictures and the audio portion is in Spanish only. It's a neat idea, but not what we were looking for.

We wanted something that could be listened to in the car (especially to and from daily Mass) or while the children were playing - even when they didn't have the book open.

We heard a little about the Power Glide program (mostly the Latin edition) from fellow homeschoolers and learned that although it covered enough material for a 2-year high school course, that it was enjoyable for young children as well. That was enough for us - we decided to try it.

I have to say that we're really, really happy with it. Although we've hardly cracked the books yet (that will come in time, I'm sure), we've listened to the CDs over and over and are beginning to pick up some of the language. The CDs are filled with classic folk tales and fairy tales in alternating Spanish and English, stories in English that contain some recognizable Spanish words (that can be understood from the context), short (and often funny) conversations in alternating languages and other creative way of introducing Spanish (including some exercises that are designed to be used with the book). Different voices provide a diversity of accents and dialects to broaden exposure to the language.

All the material is suitable for family listening and my own children enjoy the stories enough to request them over and over.

Although the price is rather high (around $150 for the CD set with the CD ROM), we felt that, as a reusable program for all of our children for all of their school years, it was a worthwhile investment.

The cardboard container that the CDs arrive in is rather inadequate - especially for care use. We picked up an inexpensive zip-up CD folder to protect the CDs.

Additional notes: 

Set contains: text, learner guide, test book and choice of audio cassettes or CDs

Copyrights 1995-1999

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
4-26-01

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

Praying the Rosary with St. Paul

Author(s): 
Paul Thigpen
Number of pages: 
95 pages
Copyright: 
2008
ISBN: 
0159276553
Publisher: 
Our Sunday Visitor
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
the Holy Rosary
Grade / Age level: 
Adults
Review: 
I am happy to review this little book as the prayer of the Rosary is my constant life companion. The book consists of clever selections drawn from the biblical writings of Saint Paul, to illustrate a theme related to the fruit of each of the twenty mysteries of the Holy Rosary. The preface explains how the apparent conflict between Saint Paul--a saint who never payed the Rosary--and the Rosary is just a superficial one. As both are engulfed in Scripture and the life of Our Lord, both are actually highly compatible. The author also discusses here how Saint Paul would have become acquainted with the Blessed Mother's life. The bulk of the book is each mystery of the Rosary in order, starting with the Joyful mysteries, followed by a Pauline scripture passage related to the spiritual fruit of the mystery, and a reflection by the author. Thus, the First Joyful Mystery, the Annunciation, is followed by a passage from Hebrews on Faith, which is the mystery's spiritual fruit. The beauty of this book, in my opinion, is that it is able to serve well both an audience who say daily or weekly Rosaries--in ways of enriching their prayer--and also the one who have yet to enter the delights of the daily recitation of one of the most beautiful of all prayers of the Church. For the latter, what better way to begin a new form of prayer than by careful, set-by-step refection on the spiritual fruits of each of the 20 mysteries, by way of the scriptural words of the great Apostle?
Additional notes: 

On a personal note, the author's dedication--"For my students at Southern Catholic College, as they soar upward to truth on the wings of faith and reason"--touched the chords of my heart. A professor should, in a perfect world, have this sort of love for his students. How beautful. I went to the college's website, and all I can say is, I'd like to go to college all over again if it looked like that, and in such a warm climate too.

Reviewed by: 
Ana Braga-Henebry
First reviewed: 
6-10-2009

Pride and Prejudice

Book cover: 'Pride and Prejudice'
Copyright: 
2001
Publisher: 
BBC/A&E
Subject(s): 
Fiction
Setting: 
18th century
England
Grade / Age level: 
All ages
Resource Type: 
Videos
Review: 
This is a lovely, touching, funny, clever and meaningful miniseries (produced by BBC/A&E) based quite closely on the book Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. While it's certainly a "chick movie", there's enough clever writing and acting in it to allow "the guys" to tolerate at least one viewing and probably get something out of it. The theme of the story, which is set in 18th century England, is choosing a marriage partner, and the morals here are very sound. Yet, perhaps the more enjoyable part is the author's clever and very real characters and her insights into what makes people tick. The movie can also be enjoyed for its lovely sets, great architecture and beautiful costumes. I just love to have movies around the house like this for my little girls to watch and help them develop a sense of beauty, truth and refinement. I liked it so much myself that I sat up til 1:00 in the morning to finish it in one sitting. (My mom did the exact same thing when she came to visit us!)

Additional notes: 

300 min., Color

Starring: Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
6-24-03

Priestblock 25487

A Memoir of Dachau
Author(s): 
Jean Bernard
Translator(s): 
Deborah Lucas Schneider
Number of pages: 
177 pages
Publisher: 
Zaccheus Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Religion
Church History
World History
Setting: 
Europe
World War II
Life during World War II
Grade / Age level: 
High School
Adults
Review: 
Spellbinding! From its opening pages, I was absolutely riveted to Fr. Bernard’s incredible story of faith and courage. Already familiar with that hell on earth, I was hesitant to read Priestblock 25487, A Memoir of Dachau. I took the plunge and was richly rewarded. It was one of the most inspiring stories I have ever read. With deep humility and simple piety, Fr. Bernard’s tells his horrific story of living (if you can call it that) in Dachau from May 19, 1941 to August 5, 1942. During World War II, priests were regularly rounded up and sent to concentration camps, in particular Dachau. The Nazi regime did not want the priests to administer the sacraments or spiritually lift up those around them, so they isolated them from the other prisoners. Fr. Bernard was a priest from Luxembourg, who never knew why he was sent there. Throughout the story, two thoughts continually weave in and out. We witness man’s sadistic, cruelty to man and God’s transforming love though man. How is it possible for a starving man to offer up his meager ration of bread for his fellow prisoner? Out of love, he has placed the needs of the other person above his own. The profound love that these priests have for the Eucharist leaves the reader without doubt that the Eucharist is real, life sustaining, and transforming. I did not want to read this book, because I did not want to remind myself of man’s inhumanity to man. I would like to pretend that it did not exist, but that would be a lie. Even more importantly, even though the Third Reich no longer exists, Christian persecution continues to exist throughout the world today in many forms. Reading this book reminds me to not take my faith for granted, to sink my roots deeper, so that I may fly higher, and that I too, in my meager, humble way, may offer my sacrifices like those heroic men and priests, who suffered incredible barbarism, to the capital of grace for the greater glory and joy of our Heavenly Father.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

I would recommend this book for every high school student!

Reviewed by: 
Elizabeth Yank
First reviewed: 
9-9-2008

Proud Taste For Scarlet and Miniver

Author(s): 
E.L. Konigsburg
Copyright: 
1973
Publisher: 
Dell Publishing Co.
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
12th century
Review: 
This story is written fairly informally from the surprising vantage point of a cloud in heaven, where Eleanor of Aquitaine (12th century duchess from Acquitaine, in France) and three friends take turns recounting various events from her life. The novel is filled with historical details, particularly the lifestyle and family tree of the Plantagenet and the Capet families (King Henry II of England, Saint Thomas Becket, King Louis VII of France, King Richard the Lion Heart), and it is all presented in an entertaining manner. It is probably available at your local library. It would be a terrific read-aloud if your family is studying the Middle Ages. Children over 10 years of age would enjoy reading this book on their own.

Reviewed by: 
K.M.
First reviewed: 
7/25/2000

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