A Review of The Art of Poetry

Working through different types of literature in a homeschooling setting can be an arduous task.  I am a lover of literature of all types; however, my children tend to favor fiction books and have always looked upon the study of poetry with dread.  Enter Classical Academic Press. We have been so privileged to use and review one of the newest studies from this high-caliber company.  The Art of Poetry is a study, written by Christine Perrin, that has begun to take my middle school and high school children from dreading poetry study, to actually anticipating and enjoying it. 

The Art of Poetry is available as a complete set, including the student workbook, teacher’s edition, and dvd set, for $99.95; or priced individually at $24.95 for the student text, $29.95 for the teacher edition, and $69.95 for the dvd set. It is geared toward children in middle school – high school (so, around 7th – 12th grade)

When we found out we were going to receive this curriculum to use and review, I was excited.  I have used Classical Academic Press products with my children before and know that they always exhibit the highest quality in their products.  The Art of Poetry is no exception. 

I began by examining the student and teacher editions and viewing the dvd that we received.  At first perusal, I was totally impressed.  The teacher edition includes the complete student text as well as teaching notes, answers to the lessons, explanations of the poems, quizzes with answers, and a poetry timeline.  It is really nice, as a teacher, to have the student text included in the teacher text.  I like to be able to follow along with my kids without having to ‘steal’ their books. I also downloaded the free helps available on the Classical Academic Press website.  The links to the free helps are toward the bottom of the page.  There is a sample of both the student edition and the teacher edition available; an mp3 file of poetry readings; and a four page document detailing multiple different suggested schedules. The suggested schedules were a God-send for me.  I love to have studies organized day-by-day, and so do my kids.  With this, I was able to adjust and assign work to all three kids, tweaking assignments to customize the study to their ages.

My seventh grader is working on the most basic of the assignments (vocabulary, finding elements in some poems, etc..), while my 10th and 12th graders are getting deeper into poetry through interpretation and writing assignments. We are working through a chapter a week (which is the suggestion for the year long schedule).  So far, we have been studying through the elements of poetry such as imagery and metaphor. The kids are keeping their own writer’s journals where they record vocabulary terms and complete writing assignments.  In the imagery section, for example, they were encouraged to look for images in the poems we read as well as in everyday life.  Watching the dvd for this chapter helped the kids really get a grasp of what images are and why they are used.  It is really great that the dvd’s have been made as a classroom panel discussion with students who are around eighth grade in age.  I have loved the writer’s journal idea because I have been sharing one student text between three children.  I schedule them so they are working on their poetry at different times since they do some different assignments; but, we do some things, like watching the dvd and discussing the overall lesson, together.

     As we complete the remaining ten weeks in our school year, The Art of Poetry will definitely be a continued study.  I am so excited that we won’t actually complete the book this year, because that means that we can carry over our poetry study into our new school year.  I think poetry appreciation, poetry history, and poetry interpretation are becoming lost arts among our children and this curriculum is thorough enough to allow my children to develop and hone those skills.  I can see a crossover between skills learned in our poetry study to other areas of literature as well.  That is what is so beautiful about literature.  The elements of literature and the skills of interpreting all genre of literature are universal.  I highly recommend this study for any family that is ready to dig deep into the study of poetry in a completely non-threatening way. 

     For even more fun, discussion, and ideas, you can visit The Art of Poetry blog. To read more reviews about The Art of Poetry, as well as other products from Classical Academic Press, click on the banner below.

 

 

 

 

 

What is your purpose?

We have had a challenging few days since Tuesday.  Our 17 year old son went through a life-threatening heart issue which is now totally healed.  Being face-to-face with the potential death of a child is sobering, to say the least. As I reflect on the events of the past few days, I wanted to share the following devotional thought.
Are you going through life, or are you living? Every person exists, but not everyone truly lives. My purpose for you is that you live and thrive. You have been made to enjoy a successful life, not a life of defeat. There is a real enemy who exists to kill, steal, and destroy the abundant life I have planned for you. Do not give in to the enemy, and do not miss the real reason you are here. You are not here to make more money so you can pay more taxes and buy bigger toys to satisfy your desires. You are here to live in relationship with Me, preparing for eternity together in heaven. Live! Start now! Stop playing religion and live. Stop going at it in a halfhearted fashion; dive into My presence with all you are and all you have. Here I am; come join Me.

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

 Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.  


Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 

Dear God, Thank You for loving Me and creating me to know and love You for all eternity and for helping others know and love you too. Help me to live with an eternal focus, and help me refuse to simply play religion. Please revive our church family and revive me. I am Your servant; do in and through me whatever You desire. In Jesus’ name,

A Devotional Thought for Today

You have abundant and eternal life in Me. Both of these aspects of life began the moment you entered into a relationship with Me through Jesus. The abundant life is not a problem-free life with great wealth; it is much better than that. The abundant life I bring involves a personal and loving relationship with Me. I will walk with you through all the problems you encounter. I will provide all you need. Eternal life is twofold—it is about quality of life as well as quantity of life. Eternal life is about knowing My Son and about knowing Me. Eternal life provides a quality of life that is better than anything this world has to offer—an everlasting life with Me, a love relationship that has no end. Enjoy the abundant and everlasting life I have for you as you walk with Me today. Share with others how they can have eternal life in Me.

John 10:10 (NIV)  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 17:3 (NIV)  Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

Dear God,
You are my life. I do not have physical life or spiritual life without You. Make me ever aware of this beautiful truth. As I continue to pray for those in my life who do not yet know You, I commit to You today that I will also share with them how they can have eternal life in You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen

Making Sense of College with College Common Sense

College Common Sense is a program designed to help families understand the process for finding and obtaining financial aid for college.  Denise Ames, a financial aid counselor at a university in Texas, developed this easy to use program that is applicable to parents of students of any age (elementary, middle school, high school).  College Common Sense:  Going to College and Paying for It is available in both a DVD/workbook format, which costs $50 + $5 shipping/handling, or a one-year online access to the video and workbook materials, which costs $25.  We have been using Going to College and Paying for it Online Video and Workbook.

We have already graduated three of our six children and sent them on to higher education.  We have navigated the maze of forms and requirements many, many times; and, I must say, I wish that College Commom Sense had been around when we were working through the financial aid process with them.  Our younger three children, currently a senior, junior, and seventh grader, are at the prime ages to take advantage of Denise's program.  We are a little late with our senior.  Truth be told, we should have been working on financial aid for him over the past couple of years. That's water under the bridge now. 

We began the online version of College Common Sense program by viewing the six
20-30 minute videos and reading through the accompanying .pdf worksheets.  I printed a copy for each of the kids to keep in their own 'college prep' folder.  Unfortunately, we found the videos a little redundant and a little boring.  The kids would have much rather have just read through the workbook documents and discussed them as we searched various related items online.  I think the videos are good for those who need auditory reinforcement of concepts.  I signed up for a free newsletter as well as Denise's free weekly lesson plans.  These two e-mail helps contained many more tips and helps for wading through the sea of financial aid and college admissions.  There were suggestions for how to use the program with children in high school, middle school, and elementary school.

Some of the information covered includes:
1.  Steps to go to college
2.  What is financial aid?
3.  What is a FAFSA? Do I need one?
4.  How does financial aid work?
5.  Taking a college visit
6.  Where can I find free money for college? How do I apply for it?
7.  How do I fit into the whole picture of college and financial aid?

My 12th grader was most interested in accelerating the steps to go to college.  Even though life circumstances have put us behind in the process, he is making great progress.  He has been examining multiple potential colleges through their websites, has taken his ACT again and increased his score, has spoken with some college representatives, and has taken advantage of a 'no application fee week' at a few schools and submitted his application.  Currently, he is working on searching through scholarships using many of the suggestions in College Common Sense.  We have had many financial changes in our family over the past year; so, we have not yet filled out a FAFSA.  We will be working on it at the end of the month.  We have never been eligible for any grants before, only loans, so I am a little anxious to see if we now can qualify for grants.
     Our 10th grader is working through the process with a little different angle.  He wants to dual enroll next year so he can complete his undergraduate studies a little earlier.  We have found through experience that there are many financial advantages to dual enrollment.  He is searching through potential schools to attend after graduation from high school and searching through private scholarships for which he may qualify.  He is keeping his information in a notebook and we are looking over his findings frequently.  One thing about searching for scholarships, sometimes it can be a real rabbit trail experience.  By this I mean that your searches will lead you down many different paths.  Denise's suggestion to keep a notebook and to explore one scholarship a month helps make this a more focused process. 
     Our 7th grader hasn't sensed the urgency to work on the college process just yet; so, with her, we are following some of the suggestions in the newsletter / lesson plans and discussing and exploring where God may lead her in a career path in the future.  Right now, she is interested in nursing.  A few weeks ago, she was interested in being a teacher. Before that, she wanted to be a cashier at the Dollar Store.  I am so glad that interests change quickly at this age!
     I teach an ACT Prep / College Prep class at a local co-op.  We have just completed our intensive ACT preparation.  This week, we are beginning our college admissions and financial aid studies.  College Common Sense is going to be the backbone of our discussions.  The layout of the information is presented in a format that is easy to follow and I believe the students will find it very informative and helpful.For more information on the College Common Sense:  Going to College and Paying for It program, visit the College Common Sense website.

To read other Schoolhouse Review Crew reviews of College Common Sense, click on the banner below:

Pizza Soup

Have you ever wanted the taste of pizza with the ease of a crock pot recipe? This is just the ticket! So easy to put together, this soup gives all of the tastes of a pizza with 'the works.' I love recipes that can just be dumped together. I also love coming home to dinner being ready. This soup is great served as is or with a green salad and garlic toast on the side. I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine! One of my favorite perks of this recipe is that I can keep all of the ingredients on hand, either in the pantry or freezer, so I can make it at a moments notice. Have fun!

Pizza Soup

6-8 cups of your favorite pizza veggies, roughly chopped (I use onion, bell pepper, and sometimes mushrooms.  I buy them already chopped / sliced, the onion and bell pepper I get in the frozen section and the mushrooms I get jarred.  Broccoli would be a nice addition if you like it!)

6 cups canned / jarred spaghetti sauce - whatever your favorite kind is

8 oz. sliced pepperoni

12 oz. Italian sausage (links, uncooked)

8 oz. Canadian Bacon (or ham, cubed)

Water - amount will vary

1 pound dry pasta (rotini, shells, penne, whatever you like)

Mozarella cheese and parmesan cheese to top with when serving.

Instructions:
Dump veggies, spaghetti sauce, and meats into crock pot.  Add water until liquid level is about an inch from the top.  Cook on low for 8 hours.  Remove sausage links and slice - then return to soup.  Cook and drain pasta according to package directions and stir into soup just before serving. Ladle into bowls and top with cheeses.

Trying Something New

Have you heard of the concept of the 'flipped' classroom?  I have been reading and studying about this for quite a while; and, let me tell you, I am hooked! This concept basically means allowing students to absorb concepts somewhat at thier own pace via audio, video, and / or text and using class time to answer questions and explore hands on activities when applicable.  I teach several days a week in a co-op type setting.  I am seeing great results with this in my chemistry class.  I am going to start implementing it in other classes as well.  How do you get started and how could this be used in a homeschool setting?
1.  When planning assignments / lessons, use sites such as Khan Academy and locate pertinent video instruction for concepts covered in the lessons for the week.  Many curricula include dvd or online video instruction for lessons, too.  Assign audio, video, and text material for your student(s) to cover during the week prior to homework assignments.
2. Then, when time comes for class to meet, or for your child to do their assignments, you serve as a facilitator for the assignments. You have (preferably) viewed, listened to, and read the background info for their assignments and are there to answer questions.
3.  Can't find a media source for a concept you need to cover?  If you have a webcam, you can video yourself working out problems as you narrate.  Save the videos to your computer, to a disc, or to a stick and give those to your kids to view.  Sometimes examples in a textbook are great, but they are made even greater when someone works them out step-by-step.  The beauty of the videos is that they can be watched over and over.
I absolutely love this idea!  I think it is going to be revolutionizing my classrooms as well as my homeschooling.  I really think it is getting back to the way education needs to be.  Kids are able to dig in and learn material and use the teacher as a sounding board for questions.  Also, more classroom time can be devoted to the application of these concepts instead of the explanation of them.  Try it out!
Let me know what you think!

Easy Lasagna

Lasagna is a staple at our house.  I love to make it, but I don't always have time to work with the noodles and the layers.  A quick version I make (quite frequently) is 'Ravioli Lasagna.'  I can keep the ingredients on hand and put this together quickly in the morning. I either let it cook in my crock pot on low all day or pop it in the oven after lunch to slow cook for dinner. Either way, it is simple to assemble and yummy!

We have a large family, so my recipe is for 8 people.  I use a large roasting pan instead of a 13x9 casserole if I am making this in the oven.  If I am doing it in the crock pot, I use my 6-quart crock and fill it almost to the top.  ***Hint:  If you use a crock pot, make sure to use a crock pot liner for easy clean up!***

I serve this with a green salad and some garlic bread.  I usually make the sauce meatless.  If you like, you can add cooked ground meat to the sauce.

Ravioli Lasagna

4 bags (1 lb.) frozen cheese ravioli
4 sixteen ounce cans of spaghetti sauce
8 cups shredded mozarella cheese
2 cups shredded parmesan

1.  Generously spray your baking dish or crock pot (liner) with cooking spray.

2.  Layer frozen cheese ravioli, sauce, cheeses until you run out of ravioli and sauce - ending with sauce. Save some of the cheeses to top the lasagna at the end.

3.  Cover with foil if baking and cook at 300 degrees for 3-4 hours.  If using the crock pot, just put on the lid and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

4.  Just before serving, remove foil (or lid) and top with additional cheese.  Allow cheese to melt.  Serve with extra parmesan cheese if desired.