A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Reviews

Review: Natural Disasters

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Today I am reviewing a unit study called Natural Disasters by Love at Home Education.   Today your whole family can learn about the natural challenges of our world with one complete unit study.  Stay tuned to learn more. 

Natural Disasters

What I am Reviewing

Natural Disasters.

Curriculum.
Images.
Recommended books and supplies.

Love At Home Education.

Earth, Geography, Science, Earth Science, Natural disasters, Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Storms, Drought, Avalanches

125 pages, k-12.

What makes this K-12?

There are recommendations for videos, books, and writing for older audiences. Most of the experiments are geared towards Elementary and are then recommended to further expand knowledge for Junior High and High School.

Under the “Extra Resources” tab on the loveathomeeducation.com website, you can find Free photos, K-12 writing resources, Free vocabulary lists, Curriculum guides and the Recommended Books and supplies list!

Natural Disasters

The Details of Natural Disasters

Created by Love at Home Education. They bill themselves as a dinner-table friendly, all-inclusive family curriculum; that your high schooler, and kindergartner can learn together on their own levels.”  

You will find their unit studies are written for elementary kids.  They truly are.  

Natural Disasters

To make this a middle school or high school curriculum you would need to supplement with video and text, adding additional assignment.  I found very few suggested activities. I had hoped to find a list of videos and books for middle-to-highschool in the recommended books but did not. 

The Layout

Natural Disasters

Five units make up this broad unit on Natural Disasters.   Each unit is then divided into five suggested days.   You’ll cover vocabulary words, do experiments, make at least one art project, writing assignments and more.   

I happily did not find busy work such as word search, fill in the blank, crosswords and the like.   My lad despises such activities!   Go figure ’cause I always loved them.  

Natural Disasters

You won’t find clutter filling the pages.   There is information and activities but nothing cutesy or irrelevant. A wonderful thing for parents with youngsters (such as I raised) that were distracted to the point of hating curriculum that had such embellishments. 

Now there is this neat file of pictures to help round out this unit study on Natural Disasters. 

natural disasters image file

My Thoughts and Recommendations

The nitty gritty eh… can I recommend it?  YES, for elementary kids, and perhaps middle school. I don’t really see it as high school level material.  The lack of supportive materials and a simple increase in essay length doesn’t really do the job. 

I think it could use some better overall layout.  It would be helpful to have a  table of contents and a written out suggestion of how to use it.  I think it would be easier to follow the suggested layout if it was all written out in one area.

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Review: Simply Music

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Today I am reviewing for you a free to use program for you from Simply Music called the Music & Creativity course.  It is their foundation course. Taught by Neil Moore who has a strong desire to help his students learn to play music right the first time. 

Simply Music

What I Am Reviewing

Simply Music.
Music & Creativity – Foundation Course.
Neil Moore.
On-line, all ages, internet access required.
Video Based
piano lessons, online piano lessons, learn piano online
Reviewed for Homeschool Review Crew.

This course introduces you to Simply Music’s unique, playing-based approach, and has you playing great-sounding music from your very first lessons. 

Simply Music

The Basics of Simply Music

The Music & Creativity Foundation Course (MAC) is a video based program. Through video Mr. Moore introduces all music, terms, styles, drawings etc to help you learn to play piano.  He provides PDF’s to supplement the videos. 

Three PDF”s round out the videos.

  • Reference Book – music, chords, pictograms, fingering
  • Music and the Art of Long term Relationships – outline of his theory behind playing music. 14 chapters. Challenging assumptions about music,  encouraging everyone to have a relationship with music. 
  • Practice Pad – keyboard you can print out to practice on
Simply Music

My original intent was to have my lad work through this music program.  He is a complete beginner and has a vague interest in learning to play some sort of musical instrument. 

I did manage to get him started but then life intervened in the way of a part-time job.  Suddenly he found his free time quite truncated.  Since he is only 13 years old (oops now 14) I didn’t want him to not be able to enjoy his summer as well, something had to give and that something was music. 

Ergo I filled in the gap. 

My free-time isn’t what I would like it to be either so I listened to the online piano lessons usually while doing something else.  Pausing to check out his visuals, referencing his PDF’s as needed.   I know how to play piano (rather organ/keyboard) so wasn’t too concerned about the mechanics. 

It was easy for me, since I’m used to how music flows, to move out the music with my fingers. I could use his practice keyboard, my real keyboard, or just tap it out on my table.  I have no pictures because taking pictures of yourself playing doesn’t work well when no one else is around.  🙂

The Details of Simply Music

One thing that Mr. Moore frequently referenced was stopping to think about what you wanted to play.  Listening to the rhythm of the music and getting a feel for it in your head before you started to play.  This would help you minimize any errors, which would save you time in the long run.  You wouldn’t have to UNLEARN those errors first.  I liked that. 

Simply Music

Each lesson consisted of Mr. Moore teaching us how to learn his program.  Seeing the music, learning hand movements, learning to listen, and learning how to diagram music. 

Simply Music

Then learning how to translation that rhythm (so seeing the pattern that emerges from a sentence/line of music) into hand movements. 

Simply Music

This video will help you understand this concept better.  🙂

The set up of the Music & Creativity Course helps you to know exactly where you are in the lesson.

Simply Music

You do need to tell the computer when you have completed each lesson so that you can move on to the next one.  Marking it complete does not stop you from being able to redo the lessons, it just acts as a bookmark for when you next access your course.

Simply Music

I found some lag in moving from one lesson to the other. It wasn’t overly long but it was notice-able enough that I paid attention.   Mr. Moore takes his time to explain how he wants us to think about music and gives us a variety of genres to provide interest.   Blues, classical and contemporary pieces are some of what he plays. “Dreams Come True”, “Eliza”, “Christowel”, and “Black is Blue” are among the titles used. 

My Thoughts and Recommendations

My Recommendation is easy.  It’s free!  Mr. Moore has a love for helping students learn to play music.  It’s is easily accessible as long as you have an internet connection.  Use it!  It is an excellent way to evaluate his course to see if you want to upgrade.  The upgrade itself is not expensive making it  very doable. 

If I could change anything: I would like a written transcript of the videos right with the videos. I would rather read what I need than listen to a video. My son likes the video but would like to have at least the main points witten along with the video.  He says that would be helpful to him when listening to know what to pay attention to.

Simply Music

Check out the Reviews for Simply Music

45 members of the crew have reviewed the free program Simply Music.  I urge you to click on the image below so you can read them. 

Social Media Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/simplymusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/simplymusic
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/simplymusicinst/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplymusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/simplymusic

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Stargazing by Jen Wang

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I wasn’t expecting much when I opened this book.  The story initially struck me as odd, but the further I got into Stargazing by Jen Wang, the more interested I became.  Humour and friendship filled the pages. 

Stargazing by Jen Wang

What I am Reviewing

Stargazing.
Jen Wang (author and illustrator)
First Second.
Graphic Novel.
Ages 8-12.
224 pages.
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.
Received Advanced Reader Copy.
Friendship, Asian, China, Children’s Illness, Asian American, Graphic Novel, Middle School,

Moon is everything Christine isn’t. She’s confident, impulsive, artistic . . . and though they both grew up in the same Chinese-American suburb, Moon is somehow unlike anyone Christine has ever known.
But after Moon moves in next door, these unlikely friends are soon best friends, sharing their favorite music videos and painting their toenails when Christine’s strict parents aren’t around. Moon even tells Christine her deepest secret: that she has visions, sometimes, of celestial beings who speak to her from the stars. Who reassure her that earth isn’t where she really belongs.
Moon’s visions have an all-too-earthly root, however, and soon Christine’s best friend is in the hospital, fighting for her life. Can Christine be the friend Moon needs, now, when the sky is falling?

Stargazing by Jen Wang

The Details

Jen Wang brings to life of Chinese-American youth who, just like other youth, sometimes have strict parents, or more lenient ones. And so a friendship blooms between two unlikely girls. 

The first 10 pages in my copy were done in colour.  The pastel hues bring to life these two girls and their families.  Even without the colour though, the careful outlines told the story well.   We see the pain, the hurt, the hope, the laughter, and the full-on friendship between girls. 

Stargazing by Jen Wang

My Thoughts

Pushing their own boundaries, learning to trust, and to become people they need to be. Protective and at times afraid, jealousy and anger raise their heads.  But in the end.. friendship holds true.   Stargazing by Jen Wang is a good story for upper elementary to middle school readers.   

If you enjoy graphic novels, this book might well appeal for itself humour and it’s friendship themes.  A good read, I would happily read more books by Jen Wang.  Stargazing is worth your youth’s time. 

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Switchback

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I was away visiting a friend, and while she was caring for her family I started reading Switchback.  I hadn’t seen this friend in a while and was eager to chat with her some more.  When she came back, I put my book away so we could chat, but every lull in the conversation had me longing to read more from Danika Stone’s newest book. 

Switchback

By the time we were done chatting it was much too late to continue reading so guess what I did when I woke up?  I READ!  Yes, I finished it in less than an hour.  🙂  Thoroughly enjoyed it!  So let me tell you about this Canadian adventure.

What I am Reviewing

Switchback.
Danika Stone.
Swoon Reads
320 pages, Age 12-18
Received Hardcover Copy
Adventure, Canada, Middle School, Survival, Canadian National Parks,
Gamer, Sexual Orientation,  Young Adult
Reviewed for Raincoast Books. 

Vale loves to hike, but kind of hates her classmates. Ash is okay with his classmates, but kind of hates the outdoors. So, needless to say they are both fairly certain that the overnight nature hike with their PE class is going to be a hellish experience. But when they get separated from the group during a storm, they have worse things to worry about than bullies and blisters.

Lost in the Canadian wilderness with limited supplies, caught in dangerous weather conditions, and surrounded by deadly wildlife, it’s going to take every bit of strength, skill, and luck they can muster to survive.

Switchback

The Details about Switchback

Middle School PE two day adventure hiking in the mountains.  Oh the fun!  The excitement!  The terror!  The “I don’t want to’s”!   Ash and Vale, two best friends, heading into a situation that neither wishes to be in. 

Vale, bullied for standing up to bullies and being a tad different than other kids.  Ash being caught between friendships. Both alone, and yet not quite.  Teachers and parents who don’t quite get it.  And a fall trip into the mountains of Waterton Park.   What could possibly go wrong?

Lost kids, a mountain, fall weather and before you know it a whole lot of trouble is happening.

Switchback is a quick read that you feel compelled to continue.  The fast pace ensures you don’t get lost in the details.  The awkwardness of teens, the love of the gaming world, the well-played examples of nerd-dom, combined with beauty, fear, and growth in characters. 

Switchback

Each chapter has a unique quote starting it out.  They come from different movies such as predator, eight below, gravity etc. 

I found the book comfortable to hold and read, the type was a great size for reading through a fast-paced book.   It was so compelling to know what would happen next, so having a good text size to facilitate that was great.

Switchback

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the story, immensely actually even though the sheer number of adventures/escapades seemed a little over the top. It was still well written and I wanted to know the end result. 

Most adventure loving young people  (upper middle school through young adult) would enjoy the story as well.  It’s well written with interesting characters, even with a bully I just want to whack upside the head a time or two. 

I do want to add a caution. Vale identifies as aro-ace.  The definition for those who didn’t know is feeling no romantic or sexual attraction towards anyone of any gender.

I struggled with this early labeling.  She’s young.  Knows her current self well but she doesn’t know her future self. Things can change. Labels don’t allow room for that coming change.

I am hesitant about encouraging youth to embrace such a limiting definition of themselves.  I don’t think it benefits youth to be encouraging them to internalize such a definition for themselves.  Reading a book may or may not reinforce that in young middle school readers.  It’s hard to know. 

Overall, Switchback is an excellent read to see a bullied youth stick up for herself and to have a friend realize some truths about himself as well. 

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Review: The Heart Changer

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Do you know the God who sees?   If you don’t I urge you to check out Jarm Del Boccio, Author‘s newest book called The Heart Changer.  Learn the story of Naaman in the bible, imagine the story of that little slave girl, and realize they are meeting the God who sees. 

The Heart Changer

What I am Reviewing

Jarm Del Boccio, Author
The Heart Changer
Only He could Set a Captive Free
Middle School
Fiction based on Bible Story
112 pages
Received digital format for Kindle.
Reviewed for The Homeschool Review Crew

MG historical fiction (middle-grade historical fiction), MG biblical fiction, Syria, Middle East fiction, Middle East, Jewish culture and religion, refugees, Middle School, fiction, 

From the Cover:

Can an Israelite captive, wrenched from all she loves, serve the very man who destroyed her village?
Miriam is asked to do the impossible: serve the wife of Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. Clinging to treasured memories of home and faith, Miriam faces captivity with worry and bitterness. Little does she know the Heart Changer is wooing and preparing her for a greater mission—far beyond what she could imagine.
The Heart Changer

The Details

“RUN!  RUN, MY DAUGHTER!  DON’T let them see you!” Miriam’s mother cried in alarm, …. and with these world a fascinating glimpse in the lives of the Israelites began. As the story progresses we are brought into the world of Naaman from Aram.   We glimpse the life of Naaman and how his life would have been.  The fear at the thought of leprosy, the sudden hope, the dismay at his instructions.  It’s all laid out in a real, living way. Biblical and historical fiction, helping us understand better the things of God. 

This tale is told over 25 chapters, on my kindle each chapter was two pages long.   The print was small, but still easily readable. 

The story was followed up with: 

  • Epilogue (about 1/2 a page) which tied up loose ends.   
  • A reader’s note encouraging readers to leave a review on Amazon. 
  • Author’s note speaking to what was fiction and non-fiction in the story
The Heart Changer

This quote jumped out at me.   I continue to ponder on the idea of a God who sees, it continues to impact me. 

The Heart Changer

Teacher’s Guide

Jarm Del Boccio has graciously provided a small teacher’s guide for use with her delightful book The Heart Changer.  In it you will find recipes, questions to ponder, fun information about Ms. Del Boccio, questions to help you do your own setting research, and worksheets.  I thought it a fun thing to add the recipes!  🙂  I have never had Stuffed Zucchini before but I have stuffed other squash so this might be fun to try.  You can find the teacher’s guide on this page, the white square at the bottom of the page. 

The Heart Changer

My Thoughts

Okay, I have to admit to not being a huge fan of biblically based historical fiction.  I find authors add things that take away from the real story OR they change the story!  Neither sits well with me.  I did not find that with this book.  There are details added that may or may not have been true, but the story itself, of Naaman, his illness, societal expectations, and the servant girl. It was spot on. 

My goal was to read enough to intrigue my son and pass it over to him. He has picked up a summer job and finds himself really busy.  After I encouraged him to read the first couple of chapters he said, “Mom, when I have the time, can I read it?”   To me that’s a glowing recommendation.   Ergo it will stay on my tablet and, hopefully during the last two weeks of August when he has no work or expectations he’ll read it.

What did I think?   Well considering that I meant to only read the first chapter so I could intrigue the lad and ended up finishing it … The Heart Changer was an interesting read.

It was a good, easy read and I have NO problems telling you to go out and get this book.  Share it with your children and let them imagine Naaman, the life he lived, the fear he faced, the pride he needed to beat, and how God used one little slave girl in his life.   And hopefully, they will see God a bit more clearly, and be able to glorify him more dearly. 

Read the Reviews

45 people read The Heart Changer.  Click on the image below to read those reviews, or follow this link. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JarmDelBoccio/
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/JarmVee
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIcs5IpR56kqsj1z4Co2Bew
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarmdelboccio/

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Carlos Santana

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I did not know who Carlos Santana was before I opened the pages of this joyfully illustrated picture book. Gary Golio brings us the sound of the heart, and the song of the world as it is found in Carlos Santana. 

Carlos Santana

Let me have you give a listen to his music as you read my review.  🙂

What I am Reviewing

Carlos Santana: Sound of the Heart, Song of the World.
Gary Golio
Rudy Guiterrez (illustrator)
Christy Ottiviano Books
Music, blues, Mexico, Electric Guitar, Biography, Picture Book
40 pages, ages 5-9
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

Carlos Santana grew up surrounded by music. His father, a beloved mariachi performer, teaches his son how to play the violin when he is only six years old. But when Carlos discovers American blues, he is captivated by the raw honesty of the music. Unable to think of anything else, he loses all interest in the violin. When Carlos finally receives his first guitar, his whole life begins to change.

From his early exposure to mariachi to his successful fusing of rock, blues, jazz, and Latin influences, here is the childhood story of a legendary musician.

The details

The first thing that hits me in this picture book are the brilliant colours.  Just check them out eh?

Carlos Santana

All the Blues, reds, yellows that flood the pages, curving, flowing lines…. it all screamed music and rhythm to me.  So well suited to a biography about Carlos Santana whose life was filled with music. 

Carlos Santana

The story itself is well written, walking us through Carlos’ life from early childhood through to young adulthood.  Excitement over music, it’s sound and how it meant to shared with others.  This love was with him from early on, nurtured by his father who taught him the violin.   It’s hard with this book to not tell you the whole story!   

Carlos Santana

Should you get it?

I can see this book being an important addition to the study of music and/or character.  Watching a boy,  watching his dad.  Seeing his dad work hard, and listening as his dad teaches EVEN IF he’s learning something he’d rather not. Observing his determination and love of the new was intriguing.  I wanted to see how his dad would react, perhaps you might too!   Learning new rhythms, discovering a combined world.  It is well worth the read.   Add Carlos Santana to your music studies!

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The Truth about Hawks

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You may remember I wrote about The Truth of Crocodiles last week?  Today I have The Truth about Hawks to share with you.  Maxwell Eaton has again created a fascinating, humour-filled book. 

the truth about hawks

What I am Reviewing

The Truth About Hawks.
Maxwell Eaton III (author and illustrator)
Roaring Brook Press.
40 pages, ages 4-8, grades 1-2.
Picture book, hawks, birds, humour, children,
Series: The Truth about Your Favourite Animals.
Book Six.
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books.

Maxwell Eaton III’s The Truth About Hawks is part of his illustrated nonfiction series continuing to enlighten and delight readers. Filled with useful facts about hawks that will make you laugh so hard you won’t even realize you’re learning something!
Did you know that hawks can see four to eight times better than a human?
How about that some hawks even eat other types of birds?
Did you know that hawks use ultra-violet light to find their prey?
Discover these facts and more in this new addition to the popular series that combines raucous amounts of humor with a surprising amount of information on beloved animal friends.

the truth about hawks

The Details

Bright colourful images fill the pages of this picture book.   The natural colours of these magnificent birds are brought into sharp relief. 

the truth about hawks

Scattered throughout the pages is humour.  When we are told that golden eagles knock Dall sheep off mountain tops, and then we see Dall sheep taking parachutes off the cliff with looks and expressions of glee.   It’s funny!  (at least I know it would be for kids right?)  🙂

the truth about hawks

We are introduced to a variety of raptors some of which are golden eagle, vultures, snail kites, bald eagles, and red-tailed hawks.  We learn about mating habits, child rearing, food requirements, migration and threats to their existence.   Mr. Eaton lightly touches on all these areas and more. 

My Thoughts

As much as I like this book I am bothered by eagles, owls etc being called hawks.  They are birds of prey, and given the birds discussed in the book a better title would be “The Truth about Raptors”.   Even with littles, being more accurate is better than being less accurate. 

That said… would I want people to read this book?  YES!  Learning about these magnificent birds is important.  Helping to conserve them means learning about who they are, where they live, what threats they face and everything we can.   Maxwell Eaton does a marvellous job of doing that with a sense of style and well-played humour. 

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