Andrea Chen

CHC Lesson Plans

Book cover: 'CHC Lesson Plans'

After receiving the new Catholic Heritage Curricula (CHC) lesson plans a few weeks ago I was so excited I dropped the program that I had designed for our younger daughters and began using the CHC plans. They are thrilled and I'm overjoyed to find such complete, yet flexible, plans that are thoroughly Catholic.

The Phonetic Zoo

Book cover: 'The Phonetic Zoo: A Self-Teaching Spelling Program (Advanced level)'
Author(s): 
James Webster
Andrew Pudewa
The Phonetic Zoo is an auditory (CD) based spelling program that includes at each level 5 Audio CD's (540 rule-based spelling words), 47 5 ½"x 8 ½" flashcards teaching the most important spelling rules and similar set of 2 �" x 3 5/8" (illustrated) zoo cards, an introductory DVD, and a pamphlet that explains the basics of the program.

Each lesson begins with the speaker reading the rule followed by a 15 word list that includes the speaker repeating the rule every three words.

Spelling Power

Book cover: Spelling Power
Author(s): 
Beverly L. Adams-Gordon

This review of Spelling Power includes a comparison with Phonetic Zoo and My Catholic Speller.

Spelling Power is a single volume, non-consumable resource for teaching spelling to children (and adults) of all ages. It includes over 5,000 spelling words organized by rule and difficulty level, dozens of activities to help the child remember the correct spelling, extensive notes explaining how and why the program was designed and a clear explanation of how the program is to be used.

The Catholic Book of Character and Success

Book cover: The Catholic Book of Character and Success
Author(s): 
Edward Garesché, S.J.

Formerly titled How to Live Nobly and Well, this reprint of an older Catholic book helps young people focus on those things which bring happiness in this life and in the next. Each chapter focuses on virtues and character traits which encourage harmonious living and union with God or act in opposition to the live of Christ. The reader is brought to an understanding of how to control their imagination and actions by focusing on a higher good. The book instructs them as to how and when to accept criticism and what constitutes prudent behavior.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

Book cover: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens
Author(s): 
Sean Covey

We sometimes think of teenagers as immature, selfish and lacking in objectivity. Sean Covey believes they can learn to be otherwise. Using humorous story lines and a heavy sprinkling of anecdotes Covey has set forth a series of steps leading teens toward a more mature and compassionate view of life. While this is a secular book, it is written from a Christian perspective and "the Golden Rule" underlies most of the content.

Heroes of Virtue

Book cover: 'Heroes of Virtue: A Timeline-manual of New World Saints and Blessed'
Author(s): 
Sister Elizabeth Ann
We have enjoyed using this manual in our home for almost a year now and have found that it has added a dimension that was lacking from our homeschool before. The author, a member of the congregation Sisters of Saint Joseph the Worker, has done an outstanding job organizing the saints of the Americas by chronology and geographical area. This manual includes saints from both North and South America. Sister Elizabeth Ann begins her book with reasons for studying these saints along with many ideas for incorporating them into ones ongoing historical or geographical studies.

Easy As 1, 2, 3

Book cover: 'Easy As 1, 2, 3: A Catholic Overview of Science For the Primary Grades'
Author(s): 
Nancy Nicholson

This program provides families who like to use living books with a Catholic framework from which to study science. It is not a textbook but rather is 40 pages, of which approximately half are outlines, that are three hole punched and ready to go into your notebook. The parent that uses this will find the eleven units of science outlined very handy for creating their own program and clearly laid out so that they can tuck personal notes and activities into their notebook using the 40 pages as their point of organizing.

Catholic Math Activities

Book cover: 'Catholic Math Activities'
Author(s): 
Mary Ann Grobbel

If you're looking for a way to liven up your math program or to bring in some painless math review you have to pick up this book. Catholic Math Activities provides dozens of math games that children actually enjoy playing and almost all of them only require dice and simple home-made material. The author makes use of children's interests by revolving the games around things such as baseball cards and animals. What really pleased me about this program is the clever way our Catholic faith was brought into these games.

Rare Catholic Stories and Poems

Book cover: 'Rare Catholic Stories and Poems'

Make sure you have a hankie close by when you read these books. These faith inspiring stories surely must have contributed to the steadfastness that Catholic children displayed years ago. The stories in both volumes include main characters that are young and old, male and female thus appealing to everyone. Each story is short enough to be read by an average 4th grader in five to ten minutes. Follow up comprehension questions range from simple recall to more the more thought provoking type that would open the door to many wonderful parent child discussions.

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