Alicia Van Hecke

Reading Comprehension: Stories of the Saints, Volume 3

Author(s): 
Elaine Woodfield

This book contains four in-depth saint stories (approximately 25 pages each): St. Edith Stein, Blessed Gianna Molla, Blessed Father Francis Xavier Seelos, C.Ss.R and Blessed Junipero Serra. The stories are very nicely told, with all the interesting tidbits that people love to read about. Mrs. Woodfield likes to catch the reader's attention by starting out at a particularly interesting part of the story and "leave you hanging" while she goes back to the childhood and upbringing of the saint (or blessed) in question.

Montessori on a Limited Budget

Author(s): 
Elvira Farrow
Carol Hill

This is a more advanced and thorough version of Teaching Montessori in the Home. The book contains a very good introduction to the Montessori philosophy of education, but from a secular point of view. It includes much more detailed descriptions of the different activities. It also includes instructions for making nicer materials, but more skill, time and money is required than the materials outlined in Teaching Montessori in the Home.

The World of Language Series

Book cover: 'The World of Language Series'
Author(s): 
Ruth Heller

This series of six books introduces young children to concepts of grammar through very entertaining and sometimes humorous poetry and extremely colorful pictures. The titles are: Kites Sail High: A Book About Verbs, Behind the Mask: A Book About Prepositions,A Cache of Jewels and Other Collective Nouns, Merry-Go-Round: A Book About Nouns, Many Luscious Lollipops: A Book About Adjectives and Up, Up, and Away: A Book About Adverbs.

Addition Songs

Addition Songs CD
Author(s): 
Kathy Troxel

Audio Memory offers math audio tapes and CDs for practicing "Math Facts" in Addition, Subtraction and Multiplication, each sold separately. These are Math drills set to music of the synthesized variety. Although these make for an easy memorization aid, I found the songs almost unbearably sappy. (My children did like them though.)

Subtraction Songs

Product image: Subtraction Songs kit with CD
Author(s): 
Kathy Troxel

Audio Memory offers math audio tapes and CDs for practicing "Math Facts" in Addition, Subtraction and Multiplication. (Sold separately from each other). These are Math drills set to music (of the synthesized variety). Although these make for an easy memorization aid, I found the songs almost unbearably sappy. (My children did like them though.)

Multiplication Songs

Book cover: 'Multiplication Songs'
Author(s): 
Kathy Troxel
Audio Memory offers math audio tapes and CDs for practicing "Math Facts" in Addition, Subtraction and Multiplication. (Sold separately from each other). These are Math drills set to music (of the synthesized variety). Although these make for an easy memorization aid, I found the songs almost unbearably sappy. (My children did like them though.)

Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism

Book cover: Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism
Author(s): 
Bennet Kelley

This beautifully illustrated (in full-color) gem is designed to prepare a child for First Communion and would be appropriate for Kindergarten through second grade. The text follows the Baltimore Catechism, but also includes basic prayers, parts of the Mass and Holy Days of Obligation. In a few places, the explanations given to expand upon the Baltimore Catechism are not as well-written as I'd like them to be, but for the most part they are quite good.

Saint Paul the Apostle

Book cover: 'Saint Paul the Apostle'
Author(s): 
Mary Fabyan Windeatt
Saul was a devout Jew so zealous about the Law that he persecuted the followers of the Nazarene with a vengeance. Through God's miraculous intervention Saul discovers that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and longs to proclaim and exhort that which he has formerly persecuted and abhored. There are many obstacles to overcome. The Christians have a difficult time trusting him and are focused on differences with the Jews, whereas Paul is eager to proclaim the Gospel to everyone. As he travels all over the Mediterranean, he is impeded by shipwreck and many who hate him.

Catholic Education: Homeward Bound

Book cover: 'Catholic Education: Homeward Bound'
Author(s): 
Kimberly Hahn
Mary Hasson

I know a number of people who decided to homeschool based on the information provided in this book. The authors have done a very impressive job of outlining the positive benefits of homeschooling, in a non-threatening fashion. Because many of the reasons they give for homeschooling focus on practical and "natural law" reasoning they can be easier for some people to handle than arguments that focus on Church teaching (after all, you have to start somewhere =).

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