Take Off with Writing in Your Home or Co-op {A Here to Help Learning Review}

Sometimes, you need the right vehicle if you're going to take off, and that is just what Here to Help Learning provides: a vehicle for helping you mentor your children to take off with their writing.  Paragraph Flight 1 from Here to Help Learning has been doing just that in our home for the past month or so.  It has been helping me motivate my children to become more consistent and proficient writers.

Mind you, there is some irony in the fact that I need anything at all to help me spark a love for writing in my children.  As a former classroom teacher and long-time tutor, I have guided hundreds of children and adults to dive into writing with confidence and joy.  Somehow, though, when I work with my own flesh and blood, we all too often barely get off the ground.  Here to Help Learning has been changing that.  My children are not soaring high with writing just yet, but they have gotten - and stayed - off the ground for longer than they usually do while using this program, and for that I am grateful.  Here to Help Learning has proven to be a welcome surprise in my home.
 
Engaging Expertise

I had never heard of Here to Help Learning before being offered a chance to review a one-year online subscription to its six levels of online writing content, which are geared towards parents and their children in grades one to six.  However, once I took a look at the program's trailer video, I knew I wanted to learn more:



The video montage of Mrs. Mora attested to her engaging enthusiasm, which I knew my children and I would appreciate.  A further look about the Here to Help Learning website then brought me to an About Us page, where I learned that the company is the brainchild of Forrest and Beth Mora, a couple who have successfully homeschooled their own eight children for over twenty years and who only began the online learning program after successfully running a local co-op that served about 60 families with eight different course offerings.  Expertise in a homeschool environment...  I thought.  That's a plus!  Truly, I find that programs written by homescholers for homeschoolers always seem to work better for me and mine than those that are written to meet the needs of, say, the Common Core.



After but a few more mouse clicks about the website, I knew Here to Help Learning was a well-timed opportunity for my children and me.  Promising engagement and expertise, it, I hoped, would get us moving along with consistent, pain-free writing lessons. 

I was not disappointed.

A Clear Take Off
 
My oldest has been wanting to write a book, so I thought I might start him off with that through Here to Help Learning's more advanced levels.  However, a quick look at the simple Writing Placement Test made me realize that doing so might not be a wise choice.  Writing easily, without frustration, and with correct capitalization, punctuation, spelling, etc. is not my oldest child's strong suit.  Thus, it was that I decided to start him and his younger siblings off together with Paragraph Flight 1.

When I received my family's log-in information for Here to Help Learning, a quick look at the our printer told me it was low on ink, so, after logging in, my children and I simply sat down together and watched the first few portions of Flight 1 Paragraph Writing together instead of working on any actual hand-to-paper writing. 

When doing so, as Beth Mora first came on the screen of our computer dressed as a flight attendant and talking in an ultra-sweet and soothing voice , I though, Oh no.  This might be too hokey to engage my kiddoes.  However, by the time the still sillier Captain. Knucklehead (a basset hound) came on the screen, I knew, Hokey or not at times, this is a solid program that my kids are excited about it.  What a win!  Truly, Mrs. Mora's enthusiasm and expertise caught both my children and my attention.  I was impressed by the way Mrs. Mora layers fun into academics and my children were asking when we'd have enough ink to print the "penguin on the killer whale with the pom pom" picture. 

Victory!  My wanted to get started with something to do with writing!

Thus it was that, shortly, I secured ink, printed out the worksheets that my children would need to get started, and re-watched the first videos with my children, pausing as directed on them to do different oral and written exercises.  The children giggled, wrote, and remained excited as we did this.

It proved a successful start.

Turbulence 

Then, I goofed....   Instead of continuing to go at my children's pace, or at the pace suggested by the program, which is to watch lessons videos one day a week and do the writing assignments another, I got pushy.  I did the program in brief 10-20 minute sit-down snippets over several days, and, then, on a day when my children and I were actually home for a number of hours at one time, I tried to fit too much of a good thing into one day, making it bad.  My oldest got discouraged about his writing, my middle child wanted more 1:1 attention for dictation than I could give her, and my youngest got lost in the fray.

 
Turbulence was caused by me, not the program.  Had I just continued on our initial trajectory, capitalizing on Mrs. Mora's good-natured and spot-on video delivery and the easy-to-follow plans written on the pdfs that come as printables with the program in short snippets, my kiddoes likely would have been A-okay to keep on flying.  Because I didn't, we needed to touch down for a reset landing before taking off again.

Live and learn.

I used the children's pause from the program to poke around on it a bit more myself.  In doing so, I got excited.

So Much There!



Here to Help Learning offers three Flights (levels) of Paragraph Writing and three of Essay Writing.  Flights 1-3 of Paragraph Writing are geared toward first through third graders, while flights 1-3 of Essay Writing are geared towards fourth through sixth graders.  Each Flight contains 32 lessons (including ones on poetry!) and all flights are available with a single subscription.  So for one monthly subscription price of $6.99, or a one-time fee of $89.99 for a physical DVD/workbook set, families can get six year's of writing instruction.



There are plenty of extras offered, too, such as 18 different styles of writing paper to meet the various handwriting needs of children, a printable Language Helps Booklet for students, Quick Reference Language Charts, an informative weekly newsletter, and a Writing Warm-Up Gallery.

Best of all, all the lessons are engaging and crafted to get children writing with confidence and enjoyment as they move through the following steps of each lesson:

• Pre-Flight Checklist (gathering needed materials)
• Flight Checkin
• Take Off (a game such as Sentence-No Sentence, a writing warm-up exercise, and introduction/review of the Writing Process using fun movements)
• Full Throttle (focus on the writing project)
• Flying Solo (independent writing time) 

Further, a guiding Bible verse and reminder to ask God for help and peace is oft repeated in the program.

Cleared for Second Take Off

Eager to take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities inherent in the program, I buckled down for another ride with it. 

Luckily, despite my previous over-ambitious faux pas (and with thanks to Mrs. Mora's engaging style!), my children and I managed to get going again, and I dare say, will continue to take off with more consistent writing as we move along.

In the Children's Words

When I asked the children for their thoughts about the program, my eight year old said:

I liked the discovery tickets idea even though Mommy has not used it yet.  I also liked the girl's story.  (The girl who told a story in the video about the paragraph.)  I also like that it's (the program is) not that hard.  It's simpler than most.  You get help and do things depending on what level you are on.  You get to write your own story on a general idea and do not have to write about "this or that" like in some writing programs... 

I did not enjoy when Miss Maura was writing in one video and it made screechy noises, but I liked that she was kind.  Other kids will like it, too.

What my daughter did not mention, but I noticed is how the program has made her want to read, too.  More than once, she has gotten excited about what she has written for the warm ups and wanted to read it to me herself.  This is huge  for my girl who can often sound out a word to spell it or can copy words beautifully, but can not always read them back.  I am not sure what it is about Mrs Mora and the writing program, but it is helping motivate my daughter to read, too.  Whoo hoo!

My five-year-old had this to say:

I liked Captain Knuckledhead.  He was funny.  The rest I did not like so much, because I do not like writing and I got way behind. I did like early on when I got to write about the penguin though. 

Yes, my poor youngest is still not quite as over the over-ambitious day we had yet as his siblings.  I feel pretty badly about that as the experience of that day truly left him feeling"behind" his big brother.  However, I reiterate, that his feeling is my fault not the program's.  Trust me, the boy had plenty of laughs during the program and was more eager and ready to write than I realized in our first few sessions with it.

 My ten-year-old (who is ever the bluntly honest one) had this to say:

I don't like writing, but I liked Take Offs and the games, because they were fun.  Take Off was fun because you got to write a story about silly pictures.  Games, too.I also liked the videos, because you did not have to write while you were watching the videos. I did not like the paragraph writing part so much, because it was about me and that is not so interesting.  I could not make things up.  I prefer to write imaginary things.  I would be willing to keep doing the program, because, at the end, I'd get to write my own book.  I want to write my own book, but I am not a good speller and writer yet.  I think Miss Maura and Mommy can help me.

Obviously, my oldest could work on sentence-starter variety and attitude, among other things, but at least he is honest and also sees how a quality program, that combines filmed instruction, worksheets, and my mentorship, might help him reach a goal.  That is what Here to Help Learning is all about.




I recommend the program to any parents seeking a way to motivate elementary-aged children to gain skills and confidence in writing, while enjoying engaging videos, expertly-designed curriculum, and some large group or 1:1 mentorship from Mom, Dad or Co-op teacher.    Some pros of the program are:

• It's flexible.  Lessons can be completed in a home setting or a co-op setting, individually or in groups in a series of short sittings or on longer ones. (Ones that go at your children's pace!)

• It's affordable.  With a variety of package options, it can be ordered as an online, a physical product or both and can be used by multiple levels of learners in one family for one price.

• It's Biblically-based.  A memory verse is repeated often and mention of God comes in every lesson though lessons are not explicitly based on faith-based writing prompts/topics.

• It's purposeful, yet fun.  Each writing project has a specific purpose and all lessons contain enjoyable video teaching, prompts, and opportunities for relational learning between parents/co-op teachers and students.

• It's easy-to-implement.  Clearly scripted lessons are available in pdf format, the videos are self-explanatory and engaging, and  website design makes accessing lessons and printables simple, so prep time is minimal.

There is very little I did not like about the program.  In fact, besides my own aforementioned faux pas with pacing it, the only cons that come to mind are that:

• As my daughter said there is a screeching sound effect in one video while Mrs. Mora writes which we all found tough on our ears.

• In some of the video segments when Mrs. Mora is teaching a lesson, the kids in her videoed homechool co-op class are doing a different writing project than the project that is assigned for program students to do.  This confused my children some.

Overall, Here to Help Learning lives up to it's name.  It truly is there to help you help your child learn to enjoy the writing process, becoming a more confident, proficient writer!

Learn More


Connect with Here to Help Learning via Facebook,  Twitter,  Pinterest,  and YouTube.

One hundred Schoolhouse Review Crew families tested out all three levels of this program.  Read what they have to say.


     

Make D.I.Y. Stations of the Cross Prayer and Sequencing Sticks

We've added a new tool to our Stations of the Cross prayer and learning times:

Stations of the Cross Prayer and Sequencing Sticks

The inspiration for our sticks came from a post I found on Hands-On Bible Teacher, and the prep work for them was done by my friend Charisma, who kindly prepares and leads a monthly Children's Adoration meet up for our local homeschool group.  Another friend, Marijanna, took many of the pictures I am sharing in this how-to.  She is a fellow blogger who writes at Because Two People Fell in Love periodically when her hands are not holding one of her four beautiful young ones.

{Note:  Some links which follow are affiliate ones.  Clicking through them to make any purchase will not cost you anything extra and may result in small income for us as per our full disclosure.)

How to Make Your Own D.I.Y. Stations of the Cross Prayer and Sequencing Sticks

Making Stations of the Cross Prayer and Sequencing Sticks is not difficult.  You could easily make them start to finish on your own or with your children at home.  You could also pre-prep some steps to make them with a group of children as we did.

To prep our sticks for a group meeting, my friend Charisma:

• Requested long paint sticks at a local Lowe's.
• Painted one side of the sticks purple.
• Purchased velcro coins like these at a local store.
• Found child-friendly images of the Stations of the Cross at the Kids Bulletin, which she re-sized a bit, then, printed and laminated. 

Then, at our meet up, the children:

• Cut out each image.
• Put them the images in order above or below their sticks.
• Peeled the self sticking velcro coins off their backing and adhered them to their sticks and images.
• Wrote their names on the backs of the sticks using purple Sharpies.

 
Finally, parents finished the sticks off by writing, "We adore you, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world," on each stick's back.

The sticks came out great!  My daughter has already been using hers all on her own to pray and "teach" imaginary students, and my youngest child has been using his to quiz me, "Mommy, what is the sixth station?" and so on.  Too cute.

A Few Tips
 
If I were to make another set of DIY Stations of the Cross Prayer and Sequencing Sticks, I might try sealing the wood on the back before writing on it as the Sharpies tended to "bleed" on the unsealed wood.

Also, I might cut off the numbers on the description above each Kids Bulletin image to make sequencing a challenge.
 

Further, I would pay more attention to where my children placed each velcro coin so that thin strips of purple between each image would "frame" them.  Without such "frames", the images we used, I found, tend to run together.

Alternately, I might choose different images altogether.  For, although the Kids Bulletin ones are colorful and child-friendly, they ended up looking a bit busy on the stick, making it necessary for children to look very closely at each to decide what exactly is being pictured in it.  Perhaps a simple black-and-white illustrations such as those found at Catholic Playground, the Florida Center for Peace (here), Teachers Pay Teachers or Library Mom might make the sticks more user-friendly. 

Or, if you like more classic, less cartoony color depictions, the ones at Commotion from the Ocean of Life, Family in Feast and Feria,  Bookworm, or Stained Glass Inc. (here) might work well.

Still another option for families and small groups might be to have each child draw and color their own images.  These images could be drawn small or scanned, shrunk, printed, and laminated.

So many options...  Whatever ones you choose, I encourage you to give this project a try if you are looking for a hands-on prayer and learning tool for the Stations of the Cross.
  
Additional Resources 

Holy Week Eggs to Inspire Stations Eggs

After we made our D.I.Y. Stations of the Cross Prayer and Sequencing Sticks, we hid Stations of the Cross eggs that Charisma had made akin to the Holy Week ones I have previously made, but with objects related to the stations inside.  

The children ran to each find one and, then, came together in a circle where I chatted with them about the Stations and about how we are lucky to be an "Easter people" that knows "the end of the story" told through the Stations:  Jesus rose!

We then began to read and pray along with my favorite children's Stations book, Story of the Cross. 

We read about each station...

Then, we paused to pray about each station as we read about it by having the children repeat the prayers contained in the book.

After concluding the prayer, we guessed what symbol might be contained in a corresponding egg, and whichever child had the egg opened it.

It proved a wonderfully hands-on way for a multi-age group to learn and pray the Stations of the Cross.

What About Adoration?

Of course, the reason we got together to make our Stations of the Cross Prayer and Sequencing Sticks in the first place was because we sought an engaging idea to enjoy at the conclusion of our second monthly Children's Adoration hour.  I am happy to report that, just as it did last month, the Adoration portion of our meet up went beautifully, too.

The kindly Father Murphy began our activities with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, praying the Sorrowful Mysteries, and a brief talk on the Prodigal Son.  Then, after Father Murphy reposed the Blessed Sacrament and went to attend to other parish business, my friend Charisma led us in Adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament reposed in the tabernacle using a sample format for children's adoration as described at Children of Hope.  

This format, we find, works well for our children as it provides a balance of spoken words and silence as well as opportunities to move.  The children appreciate the chance to move to the floor in front of the altar and to alternately kneel, bow, pray aloud, pray silently, share prayer intentions, etc.  We are grateful to have found this children's Adoration model.

Other Ways We Pray, Play and Learn with the Stations

For years now during this Lenten season, my children have spontaneously dramatized the Stations of the Cross.  Sometimes they get a bit crazy when they begin to do so and I have to reel them in!

Sometimes we get a little silly with Youtube even when we are trying to get more prayerful.
 
We also tap into a variety of resources that I shared in a Resource Round Up and take into our account our children's sensory needs.

Our other ideas for faith-based fun and learning with young children during Lent and throughout the while year can be found on our Training Happy Hearts in Young Children pinterest board.

Follow Martianne @'s board Training Happy Hearts: A Call to Faith Formation for Young Children on Pinterest.

 

I find "freshening" the children's interest in and meditation on the Stations of the Cross through new images, reflections, and crafts works well.  Thus, I'd welcome words and links to YOUR favorite Stations resources and crafts. 

Yet Another Awesome Audiodrama for History (and Theater!) Lovers {A Review of the Dragon and the Raven}

"YES!" my children shouted when I showed them our review copy of The Dragon and the Raven from Heirloom Audio Productions, a company that we have all come to love after having happily  reviewed their top-notch productions of Under Drake's Flag, In Freedom's Cause, and With Lee in Virginia.  Then, they immediately popped the first CD of the 2-CD set into our Cd player and remained riveted for the next two hours!

My children's laughter, gasps, cheers, and shouts intermingled with the creaking ships, clanging swords, bird call over ocean waves, dramatic narration and moving musical score of the The Dragon and the Raven, and I knew we had another hit!

The Dragon and the Raven


The Dragon and the Raven is a 2-cd, 2+ hour, dramatic adaptation of a G.A. Henty story by the same name.  In it, a fictional young man named Edmund and his new-found mate Harold grow to manhood while making a difference in their country alongside the historical King Alfred.  As Danes sweep through England destroying everything in their path, young Alfred, who becomes the king of Wessex after the death of his brother, comes to realize that England's only hope is to turn the nation and its people back to the God they have abandoned.  Through battles on land and at sea, advances and retreats, and, ultimately, moments when all seems lost to invading marauders, faith helps Edmund, Harold, King Alfred and others stand strong.

Romance and conversions unfold as well as exciting battles.  Humor lightens the mood between intense scenes.  A star-studded cast which includes, Brian Blessed (Star Wars, Tarzan, and King Lear), John Ryhs (The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones), Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who VII, The Hobbit), and Helen George (Call the Midwife), creates vivid pictures in the listener's mind through their expressive delivery.  Sound effects add to the picture.  And, an incredible score by Emmy award-winning John Campbell adds to the drama even further.
The audiodrama is recommended for children ages 6+ and families and comes as a 2-disc, 2 1/2 hour CD-set. Depending on the package you order, it also comes as an audio download, and can be supplemented with such extras as:

• a printable 49-page Study Guide and Discussion Starter
• illustrated printable copy of an inspirational verse used in the story
• an MP3 download of the soundtrack
• an e-book of the original G.A. Henty story
• a professionally designed promotion poster
• a 50-minute behind-the-scenes documentary of the making of the audiodrama

and more.
 
Through the Study Guide and Discussion Starter, you can easily:

• gain an overview of G.A. Henty and King Alfred

• exercise listening comprehension skills through Listening Well questions

• develop higher-order thinking and resoning through Thinking Further promprs

• target ket vocabulary

• learn about 9th century Anglo-Saxon history and geography

• learn about Viking (Dane) invasions and further study viking history, exploration, and culture

• study the Bible in respect to God's Law and the Nations, Loving Your Enemy, and Literacy

• study the character of Alfred the Great

• Bible study of God’s Law and the Nations, Loving Your Enemy, and Literacy

• Character-building studies: bravery, courage, loyalty, perseverance, faith, etc.

The guide is wonderfully complete and enhances understanding and study inherent in the CD-set, opening opportunity for a cross-curricula study of history, faith, geography, literature, and more.

Our Experience

As I already mentioned, as soon as we received The Dragon and the Raven, my children listened to it all in one shot.  Later, we listened to the CD-set as a family multiple times in our minivan. And, the audiodrama also kept our children entertained when a winter bug hit and no one felt like moving much. 

In listening to the CD's, we fell in love with the characters, learned some history, and were inspired by the drama.  We also continually picked up on the Christian message of the CD's and I, personally, was delighted that the story dealt with a period of history when all Christians were still united.  No "Catholic-Christians" vs. "Protestant Christians".  Just Christians -- one holy Catholic unified church.  Perfect!  Oh for such a time again.

After having listened to the audiodrama multiple times, we dove into the study guide as a review.  I was surprised by how accurately my children answered the questions posed in it and how much vocabulary they understood.  I also am happy with how much in the guide which we can revisit at a future date when life allows for further research, etc. 

Of course, the children also loved watching the bonus documentary we received.  They get so excited seeing the actors in action portraying the characters and hearing bits and pieces of the behind-the-scenes production.  I love their interest in such things and marvel at how engaged they become in the documentary when they watch it.


Our Thoughts About This Stellar Audio-Adventure!

My five-year-old said:

It's great.  I love it.  There are battles and a lot parts are funny like when they say, 'Do I look like a mighty warrior?  I look more like a mighty worrier.'

I simply adored listening to his giggles in the back on our mini-van during all those parts and cracked up as he and his siblings re-enacted some of the battles at home, on nature trails, and out in the snow.

My eight-year-old, who could go on and on about this CD (albeit with random thoughts) said:

I like it, because I like the characters of Ned and Gerald and that there is humor, battles, funny parts, and not as funny parts. 

Characters, like Edgar, the messenger, make things worse than they sound.  It's funny how the other characters respond to him. 

I like Siegbert's name and character. 

And, Freya?  She's bold and I like the way she says the line, 'That is the way of a boy.  The way of man is to win a woman's heart and keep winning it all of his days.'

I like that Sweyn the Dane's name rhymes and how he acts when he says, 'Mark this day!  You will pay for this!'  Everyone pictures him as powerful and yet...  SPOILER ALERT!... he falls to this man who is under his size. 

I also like that Brian Blessed is motivated to really sound dramatic.  He is a great narrator.  All the actors make the story come alive, but Brian Blessed really helps. 

I also really like the Danes' song and how the Saxons sing their songs back at them and the Danes get upset, because they didn't use to be able to do it.  I like Alfred's song, because it is more about God than meanness. 

I really, really like the part when Edmund's father jumps on the Danes and screams to Egbert to "fly, fly, fly to my son."  Although Edmund's father does not have a lot of lines, the lines he does have are powerful and strong. 

My daughter was truly impressed by the dialogue and delivery of it in this production and, more than once since the CD-set came into our home, I have been humored when hushing the kids at bedtime to discover the noise I am hearing is her in-character reenacting or continuing the story with her brothers.  She also takes on Fraya and the other characters outside with her brothers.
 

My ten-year-old said:

I think that it's an amazing story.  I like how, in the beginning, Edmund lives in a little swamp hut with his dog, father, and Egbert.  Then, later on, he lives in a beautiful stone house with a best friend and wife.  He changed so much over the years!  He had been at sea, fought in land battles, found a smart tactic to defeat the Danes with only 90 men and a few animals against a thousand Danes... I like also how King Alfred became king even though he was the youngest in his family.

I like how in the first battle, the Danes sing, and, later on, the Saxons return with an answer.  Edmund remembers the song and it brings back sad memories  It's amazing.  He had had so much that he went through, yet he remembers things...

What makes the story come alive for me is how it starts off in the 19th century and then goes back to to an earlier century.  It's cool how they go back as the narrator starts telling the story.  Then, they go into the time.  It's no longer narrated, it's acted!

I think people of all ages would like this CD set, especially history lovers, people who love adventure, battle, and, near the end, a little romance.  I can't wait for the next CD-set. I hope it's about the American Revolution.  And it would be funny if it had Ned, Gerald, Dan, and Vincent.

He has been truly swept away by the storyline and its drama and it has inspired him as he writes and tells his own stories.  Hearing him tell bedtime stories to his brother in sister with "Brain Blessed" narration and add vocabulary and drama to the original adventures he draws, writes, and relates to Daddy is awesome.  He simply love this story and is so inspired by it.
 

And me?  I echo the praise I have offered in past reviews of Heirloom Audio Productions audiodramas and say:

This production, like all Heirloom Audio Productions appeals to every part of who I am:

• As a Child of God, I LOVE how it integrates character, faith, and the concept of mercy into a riveting story about very human characters and historical figures who knew and loved the Lord.

• As an individual who majored in Acting years ago and who currently is involved in teaching drama, I relish the distinct and dramatic characterizations each actor portrays in the audio to make the story come alive.

•  As a wife, I am relieved that my husband enjoys the CD's, too, so that when our children ask us to put them in, I do not cringe thinking, "Poor Daddy.  He's stuck listening to this again..."  I dare say, that is never with the case with this audio production.  Daddy enjoys it just as much as the rest of us and has been known to practice the accents he hears on it.

• As a homeschool mom, the fact that my children eagerly immerse themselves over-and-over again in living history, dramatic musical composition, vivid vocabulary, exciting storytelling, etc. through this audio drama makes me cheer!

 Truly, The Dragon and the Raven is another stellar production that we have been enjoying for hours and will continue to listen to in rotation with the productions we have reviewed before:

I would also add the same caveat:  The storyline contains battles and death, so, although our family thoroughly enjoys this CD-set, we would recommend that parents with younger or more sensitive children pre-listen to the story before sharing it. We also think that once listened to, the audiodrama will be revisited time and time again. 

We love this audio production and cannot wait until the next production, The Cat of Bubastes, comes out!  My children have been wondering when "the one from Egypt" would be made and we are all sure it will be another spectacular production. 

Learn More

You can keep abreast of Heirloom Audio Productions through their social media channels:

• The Dragon and the Raven Facebook

• Twitter @Heirloom Stories #HeirloomAudio #DragonAndRaven

• Google +

• Instagram @HeirloomAudioOfficial

Several bundles for the CD-sets, ranging in price from $19.97-$99.97, are available in the Heirloom Audio online store. Visit the store to explore the package options and to hear audio samples. 
 

Also, visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew Blog to hear how 100 families have made The Dragon and the Raven by Heirloom Audio Productions part of their own learning adventures.

When was the last time an audiodrama had you sitting at the edge of your seat unable to stop the CD just because you stopped your vehicle?  I dare say, order The Dragon and the Raven and you'll have such an experience soon! 

 

When the Heart Speaks...

This past week, I sat in a hospital room one day looking at this:

A man whose heart had mandated an ambulance ride, an ER visit, and a day-long admittance for monitoring.

Praise God, the following day, at around the same time, I paused a walk in the woods to look at this:

A man who has a heart for his children and his wife and who wants nothing more than to stick around for us. 

Of course, I want that, too, and am grateful that my husband's heart issue -- though not one we are to the bottom of yet -- is one that continues to allow him to live with our children and me fully each day.  That is, when we choose to actually fill our days with right living.

Living right should be a no-brainer.  But, I admit, all too often, Mike and I fall prey to acting and reacting without love and mercy.  Like many couples, we have an imperfect relationship.  At times, we argue.  We lack effective communication.  We let ourselves grow angry with, disenchanted by, or, worse, indifferent to one another.  We fail to live our vocation of marriage well.

Mike and I also have shortcomings as parents.  Although we love our children immeasurably, we sometimes get frustrated with or flabbergasted by them and, then, sadly, act or react in less than model-parent ways.  At such times, we, as earthly parents, do not reflect well the love that God, Our Father, has for us all.  We do not pass forward joy.

Indeed, together, Mike and I have discovered that the "happily ever after" I, like many girls, dreamed about as a child does not actually come after a wedding day.  For, sure, there are many happy moments, but there are ample challenges and crosses, too. 

I am okay with that, though.  For I am confident that even if "happily ever after" has not happened since Mike and I got married, it is happening through our marriage.  As spouses and parents, we are continually being refined.  Our humanness is understood and mercy is granted.

Mercy - a second chance.  A third.  A fourth.  A sixth, a seventh... a seventy times seventh...  Oh, praise God for all those chances. 

As Mike and I continue on in our very human way, we know we are imperfect, yet we also know we are never without love and hope.  And, through God's grace, there is one thing that we rarely flag upon: our commitment to staying married and to training our children up to let love shine in and through them.

As I reflect on my husband sleeping in a hospital room and, then, walking with our children and me in the woods, I give thanks for God's mercy and for Mike and my commitment to live our marriage call.  I also pray that God will enter our family's hearts more strongly each day, refining us and shaping us into people who better live His will, making it our own.  Further, I pray that, God willing, we are gifted with many more days together and that even as we journey through whatever human muck and mire arise, we can pause to recognize moments of majesty and miracles -- moments that are sometimes as simple as a man and his family walking through the woods appreciating the very precious present.

For me, it is all too easy to get caught up in schedules and shoulds, and to move through the busyness of a day without pausing to fully open my heart to beauty inherent in it.  Likewise, it is sometimes difficult for me not to let negative emotions override the awesome opportunities that I am granted to live each day more fully in love and mercy.  My husband's hospitalization the other day, and his subsequent simple ability to walk in the woods with our children and me, served as a reminder of God's love and mercy.
In this Year of Mercy, I have oft repeated a simple definition to my children: mercy is a second chance.  I am grateful for God's mercy in my marriage.  I am thankful that my husband's heart episode was not more dramatic.  I am realist who knows that, undoubtedly, there will be days to come when my husband and I fail and fall in our vocation to marriage.  Yet, I am idealist as well -- one who holds onto hope, basks in mercy, and could not be more grateful for the opportunity to say on this day, "I love you, Mike.  And, I love our kids.  Praise be to God, we are still together."

Scripture and Bricks: A Super Combo! {A Faith Builder Bible Review}

 

When I saw that Zonderkidz has a Faith Builders Bible and that we'd be able to review, I knew exactly how my oldest would react when he opened it:

 
Yep!  Excited!

Granted, his excitement had more to do with the brick building aspect of the book than with the scripture contained in it, I know.  But I'll take that.  Anything innocuous that can lure my child in to perusing the Word and writing stories of faith more readily into his heart is a win to me.  For although my oldest loves God and lives his faith daily, he does not often choose to actually crack Bibles open.  I was hoping the Faith Builders Bible would get him to choose to do so more, and it has to some degree.

How We've Been Using the Bible So Far 


Since the Faith Builders Bible came into our home, it has, indeed, been a win for our family.  Often enough, I have seen my oldest and my other children browsing it.  We've also been turning to it to look up the Scriptures that go along with a devotional we've been doing this Lent.  And, of course, the Bible has been inspiring some creative Lego builds here.

For example, after the children performed in a Simon of Cyrene play during our parish collaborative's Lenten mission...
 

 
...they came home, and with additional inspiration from browsing the Faith Builders Bible...

...they built their own crucifixion of Jesus scene (albeit with themed bricks from a non-human brick set.)
 

(Those are all soldiers around Jesus hanging on the cross, a "tree".)

Then, they went for the cheerful and transformed the scene to the Resurrection. 

 

(The "tree" is now a tomb and the guards are falling over with incredulousness as the women come to the open tomb.)

After that, my oldest decided to make me guess what his next build...

 

Can you figure it out?  I'll give you the hint he gave me:  It's from the Old Testament.  See the Ark in it in the middle of the front.  Now look closer at the figure right behind it:

He's carrying a horn.  It's Jericho!

The imagination of children make me smile.  The brick-built scenes and conversations that have come up since we received the Faith Builders Bible do, too.  For the scene pictured above were not the first ones my children built with inspiration from the Faith Builders Bible and they, undoubtedly, will not be the last.  Twenty-four full-color pages of brick-built scenes in the Bible offer plenty of inspiration for future.  In fact - Shhhh! Don't tell my children, but... - they have me thinking about a possible course for a new co-op we might do next fall.


What Else Does the Bible Include?
 
The Faith Builders Bible is a 1,144 page hardcover New International Reader's Version Bible meant for children.  It contains complete Bible text, minus the deuterocanonical books — Sirach, Tobit, Wisdom, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, and Baruch, as well as longer versions of Daniel and Esther — which are found in the Old Testament canon used by Catholics, but are not in the Old Testament canon used by Protestants.   It also contains:

• 24 full-color pages of well-known and loved Bible stories with related memory verses

• introductory pages that get children building and also explain what the New International Readers Version is, how it came to be, and how it differs from some other translations (such as using shorter sentences, friendly to children, using a single consistent name, for, say, the Sea of Galilee, etc.)

•  helpful dictionary pages

So, basically, the Faith Builders Bible wraps Scripture, child-friendly reading, faith, and fun into an inspiring mix hat can engage children.
 
A Note for Fellow Catholics 

I know many of readers here are Catholic, so I want to address the fact that this Bible is not a Catholic one.  Personally, I do not have a problem with that.  My children already know that there are differences between Catholic-Christian  and non-Catholic-Christian Bibles and practices.  So, I simply use any differences they note as jumping off points for discussion.

For example, the  "Building with Books of the Bible" pages in the Faith Builders Bible provide easy visual pages to look at when explaining the differences between Catholic and non-Catholic Bible versions.  Simply look at the pages and ask, "Do you notice any missing books?" 

Further, the Lord's Prayer contained on a full-color page in this version is not the Catholic version.  My children have not noticed that yet, but, when they do, we'll chat about it.

Likewise, there is a page for the ABC's of Salvation.  When my children ask about that page, we simply expand on it, chatting about how nothing contained in the ABC's is "bad", but that the "formula" is incomplete.  Our faith tradition has both Scripture and Tradition, all based on God's Word and example.  Thus, the Sacrament of Baptism is missing from the equation, since Jesus commanded his disciples to go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Likewise, the idea of community is missing, too.  For, yes, our relationship with Jesus is a personal one, but it is also a communal one.  Through faith in Christ, we are incorporated into the Body of Christ, the Church.

I have admittedly not read every word of the 1,144 words in the Faith Builders Bible, but I am fairly certain that as I do, nothing alarming will come up. Different, yes.  Problematic to me as a Catholic-Christian capable of teaching the tenets of my faith to my children, no.  In fact, since this Bible is easy-to-read and draws the children in with its Lego-build illustrations, it actually helps me teach my children our faith by acting as an engaging catalyst for discussion.

Would We Recommend It? 

When I asked my oldest for his thoughts on the Faith Builders Bible, he said:

Mom got this for me, she said, "I got us a Bible to review."  I was like, "Awwww." 

Then she showed it to me and I was so excited.  A Lego Bible!  I like Legos.  Right away, I started looking at the pictures.  They were good.  They helped me have fun looking at the Bible.  Anyone who likes Legos might like this Bible.

I'd concur with my son that anyone who likes Legos and the Word of God might like this Bible version.  On the not-perfect side in our experience are that the font size in the book is small, the Bible lacks features such as the study notes, footnotes, maps, red font for Jesus' words, etc. that might be found in some other Bibles and, also, is not the complete Bible as my children and I know it.  The "this is great" side however, outweighs these issues. Among these, the Faith Builders Bible:

• is hardbound, which makes it durable.
• is formatted in two columns to make reading full-text pages easier.
• has pages that are not so thin that children may immediately and inadvertently tear them (as happens with some Bibles).
• contains in-text citations for any quote that refers to another place in the Bible.  (The citations are placed in parenthesis right after the quotes.)
• contains memory verses (called "Building Block Verses").
• offers some Lego build challenges.
• entices children who might not otherwise crack open a Bible on their own to do so.

So, overall, I'd say this Bible is worth a look for any Lego-loving child!

Learn More


Discover what 100 Schoolhouse Review Crew families thought about the Faith Builders Bible.

The Faith Builders Bible currently sells for $24.99.  You can also find Zonderkidz on Facebook and Twitter.

I'd love to see photos of your Faith Builders Bible-inspired Lego build creations.