The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls Continues

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My kids loved the first two books in the The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series and couldn't wait to read more of the adventures. Imagine their surprise when the next two books arrived from WorthyKids, an imprint of Hachette Book Group for us to review!   

WorthyKids of the Hachette Book group is a Christian publishing company in Tennessee. They partner with authors whose content are characterized by talent, creativity, and compelling ideas. They create colorful, interactive books for children, but their other imprints include products for adults too, like journals, devotionals, inspirational books, and much more.

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls was written by Mike (M. J.) Thomas. When he couldn't find any books to teach his son about the Bible in a fun and imaginative way, he decided to create his own series. The books combine biblical accuracy with adventure and imagination. The main characters are named after his son, his niece, and his dog.

Though these are stand-alone stories, they all take place while Peter and Mary are staying with their great-uncle for a month. There is a prologue in each book that explains that Great-Uncle Solomon was an archaeologist who collected treasures from around the world. He even introduced them to his greatest discovery of all--the Legend of the Hidden Scrolls. These ancient scrolls sent the siblings back in time to events in the Bible to decode secret messages and learn truths found in God's Word.

In The Great Escape (Book #3) Peter and Mary found a room filled with Ancient Egyptian artifacts--including a real sarcophagus!--in Great-Uncle Solomon's house. After grabbing supplies like a dagger, map, binoculars, and a flashlight, they answered the lion's roar. They chose a scroll, broke the wax seal, and found themselves in the middle of an Egyptian dessert.

The kids and their dog found a pyramid to explore. Golden doors, elaborate paintings, and lighted torches filled the long hallways. Just as they found the treasure room and opened the sarcophagus, a panther chased them away and into the river. The trio followed the Nile's current and were saved by Pharaoh's young daughter. They were with the princess when Moses came to tell Pharaoh to let God's people, the Israelite slaves, go free. They watched as the rods turned to snakes and experienced the plagues. They were wading in the water when it turned to blood, were surrounded by frogs, attacked by lice, and surrounded by flies. They watched as the animals became diseased and the people covered in boils. Eventually, Peter and Mary had to flee the palace and found themselves in Goshen with God's people. As the Israelites escaped the Death Angel and fled Egypt, the kids followed and saw how God protected them. As they were struggling with the Great Magician in the middle of the parted Red Sea, they solved the scroll and returned home to the library.     

Peter and Mary learned a new secret about Great-Uncle Solomon in Journey to Jericho (Book #4). Before he became an archaeologist, he was an international spy. He taught them some important skills and filled their adventure bag with spy gear before they were whisked away to their next adventure.

Little did the siblings know but their brief spy training would be put to the test when they found themselves in the middle of the Israelite camp just before the people conquered the Promised Land. The met Joshua in the Tabernacle and convinced him they were friends because they knew God's secret "code name." When they saw some men in robes sneak out of the camp under the cover of darkness, they followed them, across the raging river and into the city of Jericho. There, they evaded an enemy, stopped some bullies, befriended a family, met the spies, and made a daring escape. The next few days were spent hiding in a cave in the mountains before it was safe to return to the camp. Once they got back, they learned that God told Joshua it was time to claim the Promised Land. Peter and Mary witnessed amazing miracles including the parting of the Jordan River and the crumbling of Jericho before they solved the mystery of the scroll and found themselves back in the library with Great-Uncle Solomon.

These are cute little stories, right around 120 pages each, perfect for ages 6-9, and a quick read. They are fiction books, for sure, but filled with much biblical truth. Not everything is accurate though. I am all for poetic justice, except when the author changes definite details in the Bible. For instance, in both books, the people crossed over dry ground (Red Sea and Jordan River). While the author himself does say that in the story, the pictures show puddles. "A picture is worth a thousand words" and people, especially kids, are going to remember those images more than a single, fleeting word. Not only do those puddles undermine the Bible, they take away from the miracles.

Other than that issue, we really liked these books. The characters are likable and funny. We all laughed when Peter explained how the shofar got its name. The kids have already started rereading the first two books and are eyeing the newest book about David and Goliath. I have a feeling that as this series grows, so will our collection of it.   

I used these as family read-alouds. Here's what the kids had to say:

I like that they're about the Bible.

I like the adventures!

I like how they travel back in time to the Bible stories.

If you're looking for adventure-filled stories that teach your little ones about the Bible, The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls is a great series to have.

You can connect with WorthyKids on the following social media sites:

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Be sure to read more reviews of these books on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.


* Some of the links in the content above are affiliate links. If you click on a link and purchase an item, I may receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I recommend products or services that I have used personally and all the text and opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 225.

Things That Make Me Smile 9/28/18

Jake (12 1/2), Alyssa (10 1/2), Zac (8 1/2), Tyler (6 1/2), Nicholas (3 1/2)

This week Leighton and Jake went deer hunting, we practiced being cold case detectives, played a rousing game of hide-n-seek, made some crafts, and just enjoyed the benefits of homeschooling. 

1. Zac: "I love making dinner. I never thought cooking would be this much fun."

2. Jake: "Want to hear my joke? A knight is preparing his horse for battle. He gives him a long speech about his importance and then asks, 'Are you ready to carry me into battle?' The horse says, 'Neigh,' and walks away." (nay)

3. Me: "How much do you love Mama?"

Nicholas: "All of them and a half!"

4.

5. Nicholas: "Mama, was dis Tyyer's cup when he was a baby?"

Me: "Actually, this mug was mine when I was little."

Tyler: "Whoa! That's old! I'm surprised it's not broken."

6. Tyler's drawing.

7. Alyssa, cleaning up her craft area: "I'm going to try to keep my desk clean from now on."

Me: "Good idea."

Alyssa: "It's not an idea; it's common sense."

8. Zac, walking up to me: "I want to tell you something . . . I love you."

9. Zac: "Whoever created pizza, I'd like to shake their hand and talk to them for hours. And sit and eat pizza with them for hours."

10. Nicholas really got into making his personal pizza.

11. Tyler: "I can survive one whole hour without eating."

Me: "Wow, a whole hour, huh?"

Tyler: "Yeah, one time I went from 2 o'clock to 3 o'clock without eating."

12. The problem with raising readers . . . 

Me: "Please do not run through the parking lot."

Jake: "Can we hasten through the parking lot? Ooh, maybe we should canter through it. Walk briskly?"

What made you Smile this week?

IXL Learning

Our family benefited from IXL Learning years ago, so I was pleased to receive a full annual membership to all IXL subjects to review again. Our experience had been with the math and language arts materials, but the company has expanded. They have since added science, social studies, and Spanish courses, as well. 

IXL Learning is an online educational website. They strive to create the best educational resources possible and are passionate about using technology for teaching and learning alike. Their products are used by millions of students to practice skills and advance their education. Since its release in 2007, IXL has become the most popular subscription-based learning site for pre-k to high school. With over 7,000 skills, there is something for everyone.

I was able to set up accounts for my kids ages 10, 9, 6, and 4. The process and quick and easy. Each child got to pick an icon to add to their profile, which is always an exciting feature. From there, each student can take a diagnostic test to determine mastered skills or can immediately start practicing.

One aspect of this program that I appreciate is that a student is not locked into a specific grade level, but instead can access all of the content on the site. For instance, two of my boys are proficient at math. I have moved them up for that subject, but kept them at grade level for others. It's easy to adapt the lessons for each student.

Since we're using the site as a supplement to our other materials, I let the kids choose which areas they would like to work. My 10-year-old is already learning Latin, so I was surprised when she immediately was drawn to the Spanish section. She has had very little Spanish instruction and there are no teaching lessons included with this site, yet that hasn't discouraged her from working through this category. After a student answers a question, the site either congratulates him for answering it correctly or explains why it was incorrect. This is what she has been using for instruction. She has been working through a section, looking at the answers, and learning from that. I admit, it's not the most productive way to learn, but she has done all this on her own. I am all for independent learning and am pleased with her drive and excitement.

My 9-year-old loves math and science, so that is where his focus has been. I have him working in two different grades for the subjects, but the site keeps track of that for him. All he has to do is click on the subject and it pulls up where he left off. The skills can be completed in any order. Since learning about animals is his passion, he began in that section. A student can hover over a link to get a glimpse of the skills with preview questions which is helpful when he wants to pick and choose instead of working in order.

I am choosing the daily skills for my 6-year-old. He is very much like his older brother and interested in math and science. Science and social studies are available for grades 2-8, whereas math and language arts cover grades pre-k-high school, I decided to try him at the higher level for science (along with the math I have already explained) since there is no first grade option. After a few skills in language arts, I determined that he needed to move up in that, too. Currently, he is working a grade level higher in all subjects. I like that I can easily alter the questions to meet our needs.

My 4-year-old cannot navigate the site on his own. He does know to click on the blue speaker icon to hear the question read aloud and how to choose his answer. Sometimes though, the submit button is not visible on the screen and the page needs to be scrolled down a little. I have found it easiest and the least frustrating for him if someone sits and works with him, reading the questions, clicking on his answers, and submitting his choice. It's not ideal, but it works.

I can track my kids' progress on the site in my parent profile. The site shows me scores, trouble spots, minutes practiced, questions answered, skills reviewed, and more. In addition to this data, I also receive emails with various achievements, such as hours practiced, skills mastered, and questions answered. There is a link to a PDF that allows me to print a personalized certificate each time.

Those achievements along with many others also are listed in the child's profile. My kids love checking their awards as each time they earn one, they get to unlock a surprise. The awards vary within each subject and grade. They collect things like balloon animals, badges, books, key chains, stuffed animals, nesting dolls, and other virtual prizes.

IXL uses a SmartScore system to measure a students progress toward mastery, instead of focusing on percentage grades. In other words, if he gets an answer correct, he earns a number of points; if he gets one wrong, he loses points. This scoring method encourages a student to keep working until he reaches excellence, though he can end a lesson at any time.

My children are doing well with this learning site. They are challenged with the material and motivated by the awards. I love that they can use the site on their own and that I can customize it to fit individual needs of my kids.

If you're looking for a way to boost your child's academic potential, IXL Learning is a good choice.

You can connect with IXL Learning on the following social media sites:

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

YouTube

Be sure to head to the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read more reviews of this website from other homeschool families.

Things That Make Me Smile 9/21/18

Jake (12 1/2), Alyssa (10), Zac (8 1/2), Tyler (6), Nicholas (3 1/2)

I don't know about you, but I could use a Smile today. Here are a few of mine from September.

1. Tyler, confused, reading labeled pictures: "There's no F in the phone."

Me: :No, isn't that silly? PH makes the F sound, too."

Tyler: "Whaaaat! That's not right."

2. Leighton, about an elderly man: "What do you think his name is?"

Nicholas: "Mr. Grandpa, maybe."

3. Nicholas: "We really have a big house."

4. Zac wanted to make special bread creations for each person in the family on his turn for Kids Cook Monday. He made the dough, and then he and Alyssa formed the designs.

5. Me, about an old picture of Leighton and me: "Who is that?"

Nicholas: "Not Daddy."

Me: "No? Then who is it?"

Nicholas: "No one. No one at all. Just Mama."

6. Nicholas: "Can I have a jelly sandwich?"

Me: "Yes. No peanut butter?"

Nicholas: "No peanut butter. And no bread."

Me: "No bread? So you want just jelly?"

Nicholas: {nods}

7. Me: "Ugh! I stepped in the ground beef container and it splashed raw beef juice on my foot!"

Jake: "Now you can't lick your foot."

Me: {blank stare}

8. Zac: "You should take a picture and put it on RaisingLeafs.com."

Tyler: "Crazy what .com?"

Me: "That's actually pretty accurate."

9. Jake made a new friend.

10. Nicholas: "Mama, are we gonna go to jail?"

Me: "Go to jail? No."

Nicholas: "But the police officers are going to come because we're wasting all the candy."

11. Nicholas: "Under your legs they are squishy."

Me: "They are? Thanks."

Nicholas: {smacks my thighs} "Yeah, these smacking things are wiggly."

What made you Smile this week?

For The Temple

We are so excited to be starting another year with the Homeschool Review Crew with a review of one of our favorite vendors! Heirloom Audio produces some of the best audio dramas we have ever heard. Our schooling is literature-based, so we're often reading quality writings together that teach life lessons and new vocabulary. We are drawn to living books that bring the stories to life and teach valuable lessons. Instead of sitting and writing facts in a workbook, we choose to learn history through these stories. For those times though when I can't sit and read to the kiddos, we like to utilize audio books and incorporate them into our schooling and daily life.

We couldn't wait to listen to For The Temple. 

Heirloom Audio has converted multiple historical adventure novels by G.A. Henty into theater-quality audio dramas. Our main curriculum lists many Henty books in the reading list, because they are known for their deep history, rich literature, and exciting plots. So far, because my kiddos are still pretty young, they aren't drawn to the novels themselves, but they are truly captivated by these adaptations. If you close your eyes, you feel as if you're there in the story. The music, the actors, the sound effects--they all make the story come to life. You hear arrows flying through the air, torches flaming, a battering ram thumping, wood splitting, and fire crackling, and you feel as if you are there as one of the characters of the story. The narrator, Brian Blessed, has a rich, powerful voice that makes the drama exciting to listen to. We were immediately pulled into the plot.

The story begins in AD 67 when Nero was in power and the Jews revolted against Rome's authority. It follows the life of a young man named John as he was pulled into the fight of rebellion. He was trained by Josephus, survived a raging storm on the Sea of Galilee, and used his cunning skills to be one of the few survivors of the Battle of Jotapata. Using his experience and proficient abilities, he recruited a band of young men to harass the Roman armies. News of his feats traveled throughout the land as he continued to best the enemy. He fought the general Titus, won the one-on-one battle, earned his respect, and received a promise from him. Over time, John and his men continued in the fight and earned the trust of other Jews. They were crucial participants during the siege of Jerusalem as they gave the men resolve, offered strategic plans, and helped to feed starving people. John had made it his mission to defend the Temple at all costs. He watched the walls crumble, the gate burn, and men fall. He learned valuable lessons about God's character and His judgment. Through these experiences and the influence of others, John learned about Yeshua and what it meant to be a follower of His and that changed his life forever.

There is a downloadable Study Guide & Discussion Starter that accompanies the story. This complete guide is used to enhance your learning and complement your study. Each section, which correlates to the tracks on the CDs, is  filled with review questions (Listening Well), ideas to get you thinking deeper (Thinking Further), and vocabulary words (Defining Words). There is information about the biblical and historical background of the story, multiple Bible studies that coordinate with the story (No Other Savior, Proper Worship, Christ Our Temple), and many pictures from the times. There are boxes throughout the study that are filled with snippets of information that relate to the period. A recommended reading list about the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 is also included.  

While you can learn much simply by listening to the story and incorporating the guide, you can take your study even deeper by joining the Live the Adventure Club. As a member, you'll have access to a community forum, daily motivational quotes and stories, hundreds of articles about parenting and historical learning, a collection of rare textbooks from the 1700-1800s, and hundreds of fun activities. By signing up now, you can even get one of their audio dramas for free (just pay shipping and handling). The Live the Adventure Club makes history exciting.

We used the study guide questions to review the story and tackle difficult topics. The kids and I especially enjoyed the sections teaching about food in ancient Jerusalem, the Flavian Amphitheater, a map of the siege of Jerusalem, and Gideon's army defeating the Midianites (one of my favorite Bible stories). I always appreciate the content included in these guides as it is informative, interesting, and encourages us to really think.

For The Temple provides 2 1/2 hours worth of historical learning. The production is ideal for ages 6+ and was well-loved by my whole family. There are some elements that are more difficult for the young ones to understand, but this is a great way to introduce them to new topics. It's never to early to enjoy quality literature. We are thankful to add this story to our collection and await the next exciting adventure from Heirloom Audio.  

You can connect with Heirloom Audio on the following social media sites: 

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Be sure to read more reviews of this audio drama on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.