Case Makers Academy

Have you ever wanted to be a detective? If so, this review is for you! My kids love mystery books. They enjoy gathering clues and trying to solve the case before the end of the story. It always makes me proud when they come running up to me shouting that they figured it out. They're paying attention to details and strengthening their critical thinking skills. But what if they could be learning so much more? 

Forensic Faith for Kids builds on those skills in popular mystery novels, but adds an even more important aspect. This book from David C Cook  and Case Makers Academy not only teaches investigative skills, but encourages kids--and adults alike--to apply them to Christianity.

J. Warner Wallace, the author of the book, is a real-life detective. He has been featured on multiple news networks and other crime-related television shows for his cold-case-solving abilities. He hasn't always been an advocate for Christianity though. In fact, he was once an atheist. He applied what he had learned as a detective to his investigation of the Bible. After finding overwhelming evidence, he was convinced that Jesus is the Son of God and started using his knowledge to persuade others.

J. Warner, along with his wife, Susie, have written a series of books that teaches kids investigation skills and how to use them to become better Christians. After proving that Jesus is God and that He created the universe, this third book teaches kids how to share the Truth of God with others and to be strong witnesses for Him.

Forensic Faith for Kids tells the story of a group of friends that are learning investigation skills as part of the Junior Detective Academy at the police department. In the beginning of the book, a few of the boys found a puppy with no owner in sight. During that time, some of the girls were surprised when a boy denied that Jesus is God and wondered how they could help him. The two mysteries weave together throughout the book as the group of friends gather clues and learn important details. The detective in charge of the Academy guides the kids, mentors them, and encourages them when the task feels daunting. Though he is there for direction, he never takes control of the cases. In the end, the kids solve both mysteries on their own using the skills that they had learned.

Because the authors want kids to become immersed in the story and put the various methods into practice, they wrote the book in present tense and second person format and made the reader a character. You are there to solve the mysteries. You are there to pick up clues. You are there to be an active participant in the story. It's not my favorite writing style, but it makes complete sense with the purpose of this book.

Each page of the book includes one or more visual extras.

• Pictures -- line art drawings that portray something from the story, can be a tiny square on the page, a large rectangle, or even fill the entire page.
• CSI Assignment -- a quick drill that reinforces a theme from the book, lists Bible verses with blanks to be filled in.
• Detective Definitions -- an explanation of words that are used and how they apply to Christians and in the story 
• A "Tool" for Your Detective Bag -- a tip and challenge to become better detectives 
• Dig Deep -- a gentle reminder to visit the website to enhance the training with the additional resources  

Your detective training continues with the Case Makers Academy. First, there is a collection of videos (the Wallaces are incredibly charming together in the intro clip and there's even a brief cameo of the dog from the story). There is a video to complement each chapter of the story in which the author explains what to expect and details to pay attention to.

There are additional resources for the chapters under each video. The training activity sheets are fun pages. They reinforce skills taught throughout the academy through activities such as word search, dot-to-dot, crossword puzzle, and more. The academy notebook sheets are a way to organize the main pieces of evidence from the story. Fill-in-the-blanks keep the reader engaged without feeling overwhelmed. The adult leader guide is a way to use the book with a small group. It references the full curriculum, includes the important concepts from each chapter, and lists good questions to ask the students.

It was no surprise to me that our family loved this book! We're partial to family read-alouds as it is, but the mystery aspect was a fun addition. My 10-year-old daughter guessed the ending during chapter 3. I wasn't quite convinced myself, but as we continued to read, we could see how her theory was falling into place. Each of us pointed out various details, and before the end, we knew she was right.

My plan was to work through one chapter a day by reading it, watching the video, and completing the pages. However, my kids begged me to continue, and since I'm a sucker for reading, I gave in multiple days. The book itself is 134 pages, so it can easily be read in a day or two on its own. To incorporate the additional training materials though, it's best to take your time.

This is one of my favorite parts of the book:

Once you know what you don't know, you're motivated to learn. Between the test 

and the task is a great opportunity to train.

   

Here's what my kids said about participating in the Case Makers Academy.

I like the puppy. 

My favorite part was solving the mystery.

It was really cool. The end when they solved it was my favorite part!

I like how the two mysteries were solved.

Critical thinking skills are important for everyone to have. I love that this book teaches kids how to think, rather than what to think. The book doesn't give all the answers, but instead teaches the process for the reader to research it for himself. The investigation skills that are taught are beneficial throughout life and especially important when questioning spiritual matters. One of my kids enjoyed Forensic Faith for Kids so much that he's asked multiple times to get the other books in the series. I think we'll be joining the Case Makers Academy again!  

  

You can connect with Case Makers Academy on Facebook.  

You can read more reviews of this book on the Homeschool Review Crew blog. 

   

Latina Christiana

We have enjoyed being able to review for Memoria Press each time in the past, so when the opportunity became available again, I was excited. Memoria Press is known for its easy-to-use classical Christian materials. They believe in the "cultivation of wisdom and virtue through meditation on the Good, the True, and the Beautiful" by training in the liberal arts and studying great books and great thinkers of the Western Tradition. Their products are characterized by 3 things: simplicity, quality, and affordability. They are designed to be used by anyone from an inexperienced homeschool parent to a seasoned classroom teacher. We've used their curricula for various subjects, like phonics, literature, and history; but this is our first experience using one of their Latin products, Latina Christiana Complete Set

I know that some people may think that it is pointless to study Latin as it is no longer a native language and is no longer evolving, but there are still many benefits of learning it: helpful in  learning the Romance languages and also the English language, because it teaches the morphemes (smallest part of a word, i.e. prefixes, roots, suffixes); helpful in teaching proper grammar; and helpful in developing the mind through attention to detail, precision, and work.

My 11-year-old has always been interested in foreign languages. He had tried a Latin curriculum a year ago, but it focused on teaching morphemes and vocabulary, and not the language as a whole. On top of that, we really were lost when it came to pronunciation, even trying to follow the guide. My son quickly lost interest. Honestly, when I saw that we could choose another Latin program, I nearly dismissed it. Then I took the time to really look at all that it had to offer and realized that it was completely different.

The Latina Christiana set, written by Cheryl Lowe, was designed as a beginning Latin course for students of all ages. Its step-by-step approach and clear instructions make it a perfect option for a teacher with no background in Latin. The set contains everything you need for a year's worth of study: Student Book, Teacher Manual, Pronunciation CD, Flashcards, and Instructional DVDs.

The Student Book is the individual workbook for the student. It contains the Latin sayings, vocabulary, grammar forms, and exercises for each of the 25 lessons along with additional pages for 5 review lessons. The exercises include grammar, derivatives, phrases and sayings, translations, and more. The book also contains the pronunciation rules, The Lord's Prayer and a table blessing both shown word-for-word in English and Latin, songs, conversational Latin phrases, grammar forms, and a vocabulary index. There is even a history section that has a map and comprehensive questions that correspond to the Famous Men of Rome set, also offered by Memoria Press.

The detailed weekly lesson plans are found in the Teacher Manual. This book is important to the teacher as it not only includes a complete copy of the Student Book with overlaid answers, but also lists comprehensive teaching instructions for each lessons. Tests, quizzes, answer keys, games, recitations, grammar rules, and historical information are also included.

The Pronunciation CD has 32 tracks of various things in Latin. There is a pronunciation guide, The Lord's Prayer, a table blessing, recitation, drills for each of the lessons, and multiple songs. There are accompanying drill sheets in the Teacher Manual that the student uses to review vocabulary, sayings, and grammar forms.

The Flashcards are used to master vocabulary. There are cards for vocabulary and derivatives, Latin sayings, conjugations, and declensions. The front side of each card shows the Latin version, while the back gives the English equivalent. There is also a tiny number in the top corner of each card that signifies which lesson it is first taught.

The three Instructional DVDs have 5 1/2 hours of teaching. The instructor, Jessica Watson, is a seasoned teacher with over 17 years of experience. She conducts the lessons in a comfortable, easy-to-follow manner. She teaches grammar, explains derivatives, recites prayers, and gives many examples of vocabulary and declensions. There are multiple on-screen notes, illustrations, and diagrams.

Watching the lesson sample video (middle of the page), is what intrigued me about this curriculum. Being able to hear the proper pronunciations and being taught by a real Latin teacher is exactly what we needed. My son has been doing 1-2 lessons a week and has been learning a good amount of Latin in just over a month of instruction. I love the DVD lessons and that everything is written out so clearly in the Teacher Manual. In the past, I had been intimidated in using a Latin curriculum because I have no experience with the language whatsoever. The Latina Christiana Complete Set has removed those hesitations and has given us the confidence to study the language. My son can do the majority of the lessons on his own because the step-by-step approach is designed so well. I'm excited to see how much he'll learn and what benefits he'll gain from using this program.

Latina Christiana is a wonderful Latin curriculum for both a beginning learner and a teacher with no background in it. I highly recommend it.

You can connect with Memoria Press on the following social media sites:
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Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn

If you'd like to read more reviews of this product or of some of the other resources offered by Memoria Press, please visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

The Secret Bridge

I've mentioned countless times how important quality literature is to our family and how much we love reviewing books. There is always some sort of read-aloud that the kids and I are sharing together. And while I absolutely love reading and can easily get lost in a book, I don't read literature silently to myself very often. Oh, I used to; I used to read multiple novels a week. Then life got busier and I allowed my personal reading to be pushed aside. Every now and then though, a book comes along that begs to be enjoyed, to be read, to be made to come to life in the mind of the reader. The Secret Bridge was one such book.

I was excited when I learned that I was receiving a book from Lamplighter Publishing. The company is known for its wholesome books (both printed and audio) that are filled with characters that encourage faith in God. While the particular books they sell can be found elsewhere, their versions are "edited within a Biblical theological framework to ensure that each story reflects the character of God." Key Scripture references, footnotes with definitions, and biblical truths make these titles unique and highly valued over other books with the same titles. 

The Secret Bridge was written in 1899 by Amy Le Feuvre. The foundation of our home school is literature, and we often pull books from the late 1800s and early 1900s for our learning. The majority of the time, the vocabulary is richer, the godly character traits more pronounced, and the plots more beneficial. Amy Le Feuvre was an accomplished author in England. Being a granddaughter of a reverend, she used her religious upbringing to write many stories that are filled with biblical principles.

The Secret Bridge begins as Bridget Channing is sailing to England. Her widower father had recently died, leaving her to be cared for by an uncle oversees. On the journey, she met Godfrey Bullingham, a naval man from a very well-to-do family. There was a instant mutual attraction, so when Bridget discovered that her uncle had passed away weeks before her arrival and she was subsequently on her own, she agreed to marry Godfrey. The day of the wedding, he left for a year-long voyage at sea, leaving Bridget to keep the marriage a secret from everyone except the elderly couple caring for her in a farm house on Bullingham property. During this time, she was introduced to the Fitzroys, the Bullingham's greatest rivals. As she draws closer to both of these influential families, Bridget discovers another secret--one that could either potentially bring to two families together, or tear her husband's family apart. She must use her new-found faith in God to help her make the proper choices and trust in Him to work out the details.

The story is filled with biblical truths and sprinkled with quotes from Scripture. The reader witnesses Bridget's faith unfold and she learns about God and what it means to climb the ladder of faith. Hardships, struggles, dependence on God, grace, delight. Her relationship with Godfrey is a picture of the Christian life. When she met him, he meant nothing to her. Once they became acquainted, she longed to know him better. He came and saved her in her hour of need, and she became his. Even though he wasn't there in person, she had his letters to get to know him better. He cared for her, provided for her, loved her. It's the same way with Christ. We start off not knowing Him. Then we're introduced to Him, and He saves and we become His child. We know Him better through the Bible. He cares for us, provides for us, loves us. We are His.

 
I thoroughly enjoyed The Secret Bridge. It was an easy read that reinforced many godly qualities. The book itself has a beautiful, turquoise hardcover with a soft, velvety finish. It would look impressive on any bookshelf as a collector's item. While my children do read literature from this time period, I don't think they would be too interested in this one quite yet. Ultimately, it is a love story (one that pictures our relationship with God), and though there is nothing inappropriate in it, I think it would be more appealing to the teen and older crowd.

Lamplighter Publishing aims to develop "Christlike character one story at a time," and I think that they accomplished that with this book.

You can connect with Lamplighter Publishing on the following social media sites:

Facebook
Twitter
Google+

  

You can read more reviews of this book on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

Beric the Briton

Heirloom Audio Productions  has become one of our favorite companies. Their audio dramas are some of the best we've ever heard, and we were thrilled to be able to review their newest one.

Our schooling is very literature-based. Our family loves read-alouds and will often sit together to read various novels for hours on end. I love reading my kids quality literature and sharing that time with them. Not only does it teach them life lessons, it also introduces them to new vocabulary. The only problem is that I don't always have the time to spend the day reading. That's why we love to incorporate audio books and dramas into our days. Whether we're folding clothes, driving in the van, or just needing some downtime, audio books are perfect. Beric the Briton has become the newest "favorite" in our house.

Beric the Briton is a theater-quality production based on the novel with the same name, written by G.A.Henty. We've listened to many different audio books and dramas, and none has ever compared to the quality of those by Heirloom Audio Productions. If you close your eyes, you feel as if you're there in the story. Think of it as watching a movie, but with no picture. The music, the actors, the sound effects--they all make the story come to life. You hear swords clanking and can visualize men fighting for their lives; you listen to the sounds of the wolves and lions and you feel the terror the characters felt; you hear the winds roar and the waves crash and you feel as if you're the one in a violent storm. It is that realistic. The narrator has a rich, powerful voice that makes the drama exciting to listen to. We were immediately pulled into the story.

The story takes place in the first century during the reign of Nero and the Romans' rule of Britannia. It follows the life of Beric, a Briton who was a slave to the Romans yet admired them, their power, and their way of life. Throughout the story, he fought wolves to save a woman and her children, became chief of his people, fought in many battles, was captured by the Romans again, was taken to Rome, experienced a horrible shipwreck and saved his enemies, became a Gladiator for the entertainment of his captors, and fought a ferocious lion with only a self-made rope and won. In all this, he remained true to his word, was an honorable man, and became an example to many. Along with the non-stop action and exciting adventures, there are plenty of morals and Biblical truths taught along the way.

Beric the Briton single package costs $29.97 (+ shipping and handling). Along with the 2-CD set, you will receive 3 bonuses:

1. Beric the Briton Study Guide (digital download) -- 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 more information about G.A. Henty, Nero, and Queen Boadicea; multiple Bible studies that coordinate with the story, many pictures from the times, and much more historical information. 
2. Printable Copy of Inspiration Quote (digital download) -- "I will gladly die for him who died for me." This inspirational quote can be printed and framed to remind you of God's omnipotence.  
3. Beric the Briton Soundtrack (MP3 download) -- Our family loves soundtracks. This beautiful music was written by Emmy-winning composer John Campbell (creator of the original score for C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, Adventures in Odyssey, and more). We've enjoyed listening to this moving music while doing school, cleaning house, and folding laundry.

There is also an option of a family four-pack. For $99.97 (+ shipping and handling), you get 4 copies of the 2-CD set and the bonuses listed above, along with additional bonuses: Live the Adventure E-Newsletter; G.A. Henty's original Beric the Briton e-book; professionally designed, printable promotional poster; and a behind-the-scenes documentary featuring the cast and crew.  

Here's what my kids had to say about the story:

"It's awesome! I loved it."

"I like when they kill the wolves. It seemed so real."

"It was cool when Beric defeated the lion with just a rope!"

The 2+ hour audio production is ideal for ages 6-adult, but our entire family enjoyed listening to it. We used the study guide questions to review the story and tackle difficult topics. We stopped the CD multiple times to discuss things like Gladiators, Gaul, what it means to really be a Christian, honor, strategy, and more. Of course, the little ones didn't quite understand everything, but it's never too early to introduce quality literature. This will be a story that we reference throughout the years. Beric the Briton is a wonderful resource to have.

You can find Beric the Briton on Facebook or connect directly with Heirloom Audio Productions on the following social media sites:

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

Instagram

You can read more reviews of this title on the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.

The Glass Castle

Our family loves to read, so it's no surprise that some of our favorite things to review are books. When I saw that we had the opportunity to read a book from Shiloh Run Press (a division of Barbour Publishing) that is geared toward ages 10-14, I was excited. I read the first chapter of The Glass Castle  by Trisha White Priebe and Jerry B. Jenkins and was immediately more intrigued. A king, castle, mystery, suspense, danger--yet clean fiction written by Christian authors--I knew my son Jake, especially, would love it. I read him the first chapter, as well, and he begged for more. That's when I explained that he would have to wait another week or two until the hardcover book arrived in the mail. Poor kid, ha. 

He tore open the package the day it came and immediately began reading. I heard "this is so good" and "I just don't want to stop reading" and "I love this book." He finished all 41 chapters and 250 pages in just a few days. In fact, we had gone to my parents' house on Mother's Day for lunch. The kids had the opportunity to stay there for the afternoon before the evening church service or come home with Leighton and me. Jake almost gave up the privilege of staying and playing in order to finish the book he had left at home. Yeah, that's how much he enjoyed it. 

Rather than hearing what I had to say about the book, I thought it would be fun to see the synopsis through the eyes of a 10-year-old. Here is the summary of the book in his own words.

     

"It was great. It was about Avery, a girl who was kidnapped at 13 and brought to a castle that was full of secrets. She was scared because she didn't know where her little brother or her father were. At the castle she made some friends, a few enemies, but mostly kept to herself. All the kids in the castle were 13 years old. The kids were required to do all the work in the castle because the new queen-to-be (Angelina) didn't trust anyone and sent away the servants. Some kids were scouts who spied on the adults through vents and would tell everyone to leave if someone was coming, some worked on the dress for the wedding, and others cooked all the food (Avery tried, but wasn't very good and almost set the place on fire). Even though all the kids were orphans, they wore fancy and expensive clothes because they got them from Angelina because she threw away clothes after only wearing them once. Avery was introduced to chocolate for the first time and thought it was delicious.

"The kids elected a boy named Tuck to be the king of the kids and he chose Avery to be his queen. She liked exploring and the more time she spent there, she realized that the castle was exactly like the tree house her father built for her at home. That's how she discovered the library. She loved books and was mad when the adults started burning them.  

"She eventually escaped, but when she found out that someone took over her house and her dad was gone, she went back to the castle. She went to the library and found a secret door. When she opened it, it led to a secret tunnel. That's how it ends."

After hearing how the book is "so good" and how I "had to read it" myself, I had to read it myself. I easily saw why he loved it so much. The story pulls you in right from the beginning. I don't normally read novels during the day (something about caring for 5 kids and house and homeschooling, ha), but I read this one. I started it at night before bed and finished it the next day. It's an easy read and perfect for the target age group. I appreciate the subtle Christian theme sprinkled throughout and clean dialogue.

We enjoyed this book so much that when Jake mentioned that he couldn't wait until fall because the sequel, The Ruby Moon, comes out then, his dad pre-ordered immediately. I have my own assumptions about aspects of the story, but I'll let you read the book and decide for yourself.

Because, trust me, you'll want to read this book yourself.    

You can connect with Shiloh Run Press through Barbour Publishing on Facebook and Twitter. 

You can read more reviews of this book on the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.

Owlegories

My kiddos like getting curricula and books in the mail as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew, but they get really excited when we get something like a DVD to review. It seems more like fun than work, and, of course, they never get tired of hearing, "We need to watch this video for school today." So, as you can imagine, they were pleased when a package from FishFlix.com arrived at our door. They were even happier when they opened the package and found a video about the things of God. My oldest son had watched the trailer with me on YouTube before the DVD came and was excited to tell his siblings about Owlegories: The Ant, The Fruit, The Butterfly.

Owlegories is an animated series in which owls teach kids about God through the use of allegories. (Did you catch the play on words in the title? Cute!) The episodes teach about God's nature and truths found in His Word by using elements found in nature. The Ant, The Fruit, The Butterfly is the second DVD of the series.

 

In each episode, the Professor sends the owl students (Joey, Nora, Violet, Gus, and Twitch) on an adventure. Along the way, they learn important truths, have fun, and are attempted to be foiled by the "bad guy" Devlin and his sidekick Fink. At the beginning of class, the students quote the owl pledge:

 

We love to learn about creation.

It helps us become wise. 

God's nature is all around us,

If we look through heaven's eyes.

The Ant
In this episode, the owl students go to a maple syrup farm. (This was so exciting to my kids as this month we were able to tap trees to make our own maple syrup too!) A colony of ants teach them 3 ways in which followers of Christ should be like ants based on Proverbs 6:6:

1. They work together.
2. They are hard workers.
3. They plan for the future.

My kids favorite part about this one was Gus's silly song about how God made everything.

The Fruit
Galatians 5:22-23 is the key verse for this episode. The students head to an apple orchard where they learn about the Fruits of the Spirit and are introduced to some bad fruits, too. My kids laughed at the impersonations that Twitch did of the other characters. It was even one of his impersonations that saved their apples from being stolen by Devlin to make the perfect pie!


The Butterfly
The students learn in this episode that creepy crawly bugs are not all bad. They observe the change of caterpillars as they morph into chrysalises and then transform into butterflies. They learn from II Corinthians 5:17 how Christians are like the butterflies:

1. God looks at our heart. It does not matter what we look like on the outside.
2. A caterpillar changes into a butterfly just as we are changed through salvation.
3. Just as the caterpillar is free when it becomes a butterfly, we find true freedom when we accept Christ as our Savior.

My kids loved when Devlin got "eaten" by a big fish!

At the end of each episode, there's a recap about the truths we can learn from God's Word. Then, there's a follow-up portion with known Christians (authors, pastors, etc.) where the truth is expounded on.

The entire video is about a half hour long and kept my kiddos entertained. More than that though, it taught my kids about God on their level. Because the episodes and lessons are short to keep the attention of little ones, there are aspects that get skipped, like the need to boil the maple sap to turn it into syrup or the actual time frame of metamorphosis. These things are not necessarily a big deal, but open up another teaching moment with the kids. Also, Owlegories does not use the King James Bible for their verses, so that was another detail that my kids pointed out.

All in all, my little ones love this video. They laugh at Gus, walk around singing the songs, and ask to watch it often. We've even downloaded the app and watched another episode that way. I see more Owlegories finding their way into our house in the future.  

FishFlix.com is an online store offering thousand of high-quality Christian movies. Their business philosophy is based on the following verses: Colossians 3:17 and Colossians 3:23-24, meaning that whatever they do, they're doing it for God. They offer low prices on their DVDs along with free shipping. If you're looking to add some quality entertainment to your life, FishFlix.com will have what you need.

You can connect with FishFlix.com on the following social media sites:

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram

YouTube

You can read more reviews of this title and some of the offered by FishFlix.com by visiting the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.

The Dragon and the Raven

We were able to review the newest product from one of our favorite companies! Heirloom Audio Productions has created another exciting audio adventure that's sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Our schooling is very literature-based. Our family loves read-alouds. I've mentioned dozens of times how the kiddos will sit and listen to various novels for hours on end. I love reading them quality literature and sharing that time with them. Not only does it teach them life lessons, it also introduces them to new vocabulary. The only problem is that I don't always have the time to spend the day reading. We love to incorporate audio books and dramas into our days. Whether we're folding clothes, driving in the van, or just needing some downtime, audio books are perfect.  The Dragon and the Raven is no exception.

 

The Dragon and the Raven is a theater-quality production based on the novel with the same name, written by G.A.Henty. Between the music, the quality of the actors reading the lines, and the background sounds (swords clanking, wind blowing, pages turning, arrows soaring, fire crackling, etc.), it sounds like a movie production. It's easy to visualize the scenes: ships sailing the open seas, men engaged in battle, people fighting for their lives and beliefs. The narrator has a rich, powerful voice that makes the drama exciting to listen to. We were immediately pulled into the story.

The tale takes place in the ninth century. Edmund, not quite a boy, but too young to fight in battle, watches as his father is killed by the Danes. He acquires a zeal to join the cause against the pagan armies. He designs a faster warship, learns the secret of the shield wall, falls in love, and maims a man. He also learns firsthand of the faith of King Alfred and discovers what it means to truly trust in God. Edmund grows from a boy into a man, from a servant into a leader. His faith is tested, but he remains strong. Set in the time of the great battles between the Saxons and the Danes, there is plenty of adventure along the way.

The Dragon and the Raven single package costs $29.97 (+ shipping and handling). Along with the 2-CD set, you will receive 3 bonuses:

1. The Dragon and the Raven Study Guide (digital download) -- 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, ideas to get you thinking deeper, and vocabulary words. There is more information about G.A. Henty and King Alfred the Great; multiple Bible studies that coordinate with the story, and many pictures from the times. 
2. Printable Copy of Proverbs 21:31 (digital download) -- "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord." While this verse is not the same as the King James Version (which wasn't translated during this time period), it is as King Alfred quoted it in the story. This inspirational quote will remind you of God's omnipotence.  
3. The Dragon and the Raven Soundtrack (MP3 download) -- Our family loves soundtracks. This beautiful music was written by Emmy-winning composer John Campbell (creator of the original score for C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, Adventures in Odyssey, and more). We've enjoyed listening to this moving music while doing school, cleaning house, and folding laundry.

There is also an option of a family four-pack. For $99.97 (+ shipping and handling), you get 4 copies of the 2-CD set along with additional bonuses: Live the Adventure E-Newsletter; G.A. Henty's original The Dragon and the Raven e-book; professionally designed, printable promotional poster; and a behind-the-scenes documentary featuring the cast and crew.  

Here's what my kids had to say about the story:

"My favorite part was when Edmund cut off Sweyn's arm. I liked all the fighting and attack strategies and when it rained and put out the fire on the ship."

"It's super cool! I like that they named a ship The Dragon."

 

"I thought it was funny when Alfred burned the cakes!"

 

 

The 2 1/2 hour audio production is ideal for ages 6-adult, but our entire family enjoyed listening to it. We used the study guide questions to review the story and tackle difficult topics. The kids especially liked finding locations from the story on a map and learning a new recipe for "Alfred Cakes." We stopped the CD multiple times to discuss things like alliances, vengeance, what it means to really be a Christian, strategy, and more. Of course, the little ones didn't quite understand everything, but it's never too early to introduce quality literature. This will be a story that we reference throughout the years.

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

Facebook

Google+

Twitter
Instagram

If you'd like to read more reviews of this audio drama, lease visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.

With Lee in Virginia

We were able to review the newest product from one of our favorite companies. Heirloom Audio Productions has created another exciting audio adventure that's sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Our schooling is very literature-based. Our family loves read-alouds. I've mentioned dozens of times how the kiddos will sit and listen to various novels for hours on end. I love reading them quality literature and sharing that time with them. Not only does it teach them life lessons, it also introduces them to new vocabulary. The only problem is that I don't always have the time to spend the day reading. We love to incorporate audio books and dramas into our days. Whether we're folding clothes, driving in the van, or just needing some downtime, audio books are perfect. With Lee in Virginia  is no exception.

With Lee in Virginia is a theater-quality production based on the novel with the same name, written by G.A.Henty. Between the music, the quality of the actors reading the lines, and the background sounds (horses neighing, cannons firing, water splashing, train whistle blowing, whips cracking, etc.), it sounds like a movie production, and a good one at that. It's easy to visualize the scenes: horses galloping the countryside, men engaged in battle, people fighting for their lives and beliefs. We were immediately pulled into the story.

The story starts in 1861. Fifteen-year-old Vincent Wingfield is appalled as he watches slaves get beaten. Though it's common to have slaves, he believes they should be treated fairly and is angered when they're not. As the country is split and the war starts between the Union and the Confederacy, Vincent joins the fight. It doesn't take long before he's greatly injured and sent home to recuperate. Time passes and he begins to lose his zeal for the war. Nearly a year goes by when General Robert E. Lee pays him a visit, both to encourage him and to inform him of his promotion to sergeant. Renewed, Vincent returns to battle, only to be shot, captured, and sent to prison. With the help of a friend, he escapes, gets into a fist fight with a known criminal, falls in love, is captured as a spy, and has many more adventures, all while looking to God for guidance. It's during this time, while studying his father's Bible, that he begins to question slavery. Though they lose the war, both Vincent and Lee remain men of honor and give God the glory for what He's done.

With Lee in Virginia single package costs $29.95 (+ shipping and handling). Along with the 2-CD set, you will receive 3 bonuses:

1. With Lee in Virginia Study Guide (digital download) -- 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, ideas to get you thinking deeper, and vocabulary words. There is more information about the G.A. Henty, General Lee, and Stonewall Jackson; multiple Bible studies that coordinate with the story, and many pictures from the times. 
2. Printable Copy of a Robert E. Lee Quote (digital download) -- "Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less." This inspirational quote was found in a letter from Lee to his son. The quality of the copy is high enough that you can simply print, frame, and enjoy.
3. With Lee in Virginia Soundtrack (MP3 download) -- Our family loves soundtracks. This beautiful music was written by Emmy-winning composer John Campbell (creator of the original score for C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia). We've enjoyed listening to this moving music while doing school, cleaning house, and folding laundry.

The 2 1/2 hour audio production is ideal for ages 6-adult, but our entire family enjoyed listening to it. We used the study guide questions to review the story and tackle difficult topics. We stopped the CD multiple times to discuss things like slavery, bigotry, the reasons behind the war, johnnycakes, and more. Of course, the little ones didn't quite understand everything, but it's never too early to introduce quality literature. This will be a story that we reference throughout the years.

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

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If you'd like to see how other homeschool families used these products, you can read more reviews  on the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.

The Forbidden Book

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8 

We were given the opportunity to review a historical documentary from New Liberty Videos. The company, owned by Brian Barkley, produces Christian videos. They offer a variety of topics from the greatness of America to the UFO conspiracy to the mystery of the Dead Sea Scrolls to life after an abortion and more. We chose The Forbidden Book.   

The Forbidden Book is a 58-minute DVD about the preservation of the Bible. From the beginning of time, the Devil has wanted to cause confusion and destroy God's Word.  This documentary is a walk through history and how godly men chose to fight for the preservation of the Bible. Even during the Dark Ages when superstition and ignorance attempted to control the people, men stood firm in their faith. This video tells the stories of early church fathers, John Wycliffe (who translated the Bible from Latin to English), Martin Luther (who exposed wrong doings in the church and preached that justification was through faith and faith alone, Ephesians 2:8-9), William Tyndale (who sacrificed his life in order to make printed Bibles in the English language available to the people), and the countless martyrs who defended their faith and taught their children the Scriptures and were tortured because of it.   

 Did you know . . .

• Ancient Bibles required an entire flock of sheep to provide the parchment for one 4th century New Testament.

• The cost of a Bible in the 1300s, easily amounted to a priests whole yearly income. 

• The Geneva Bible was quoted by William Shakespeare over 5,000 times in his plays. 

• The first Bible printed in the United States was in 1663 and was a translation for the Algonquin Indians.

• By 400 A.D., the Bible had been translated into 500 languages.

• By 500 A.D., the Bible had been reduce to only 1 language.

 

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matthew 24:35

Having grown up in a Christian home, attending a Christian school, and graduating from a Bible college, a lot of the information was review for me. I was taught a love of the Scriptures early on. I learned how men and women defended their faith and refused to back down even when death was imminent. Too often, I think, we take our Bibles for granted. There was once a time when people gave all to hold a copy of God's Word in their hands, when seeing the Scriptures in your own tongue was all but a dream. Now, we have multiple copies lying around the house. May we always understand that It is a precious Book, one to be read daily and obeyed. 

This video is full of facts and information and is narrated by Dr. Craig Lampe, a Bible historian. While I have studied this subject over the years, it was a good review and reminder. The DVD, which costs $19.95, is recommended for a general audience, but I wasn't so sure a documentary would hold the attention of my littles (8 and younger). My husband and I sat down to watch it by ourselves. Within minutes of starting, I knew that I had been right. The kids even walked into the room at one point when they heard that a movie was on, and quickly went back to the other room to play. While the information is great and the topic is important, the execution is a little dry. It would be good for an older student or adult who truly wants to learn about the people God used to preserve His Word for us today.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, 
for correction, for instruction in righteousness: II Timothy 3:16

To read more reviews of the Forbidden Book or one of the other videos offered, please head to the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.