Beric the Briton Has Come Alive in Our Imaginations {An Awesome Audio Adventure Review}

Oh, the cheer that rang out from my children when I surprised them with the fact that our review copy of Beric The Briton by Heirloom Audio Productions had come in!  We actually took a photo of them opening the package, which was precious, but it got inadvertently erased and could not be recreated.  So, just trust me on how much joy was captured - however temporarily - in that photo!

For, yes, my children truly love Heirloom Audio Productions and count the opportunity to review their "awesome audiodramas" as one of the chief reasons that we should continue being on the Schoolhouse Review Crew each year.  Seriously, they wait and wait for Heirloom Audio Productions review opportunities to come up and, then, clamber, "Can we do it?  Can we do it?" with total excitement!

This time, when we received our CD-set, we did things a bit differently than usual.  Typically, I let the kids pop the CD into a player right away, we listen to it several times, then, later, we watch any video extras we have received access to, view other extras online, and chat about the content of the CD's loosely using the provided digital Study Guide.  However, this time, after the children finished bubbling over in delight about the fact that Beric The Briton had arrived, I told them that they could not listen to the CD's just yet.  I knew we had a long ride coming up a couple of days later, and I wanted them to exercise patience until that ride, when we could all listen to the 2-hour CD-set with rapt attention (and, thus, peace and joy on our ride!)

Extras!  Extras!  Extraordinary Digital Extras!

Of course, my children were not thrilled that they had to wait to listen to the next CD set in their favorite series.  However, their disappointment was quelled when I told them they could preview something about it, for they do love "the extraordinary adventures of G.A. Henty" and all that they entail.
 
Ever since we reviewed the first Heirloom Audio Productions adventure, Under Drake's Flag, the kids have been hooked on the CD's as well as the digital extras that go along with them.  They not only love listening to the radio theater-like on CD's, but also enjoy browsing such things as e-books and posters and watching behind-the-scenes videos. 

Thus, my children were delighted when I said we could begin our Beric The Briton experience with the behind-the-scenes video that came with it.  As soon as I pulled that video up on our computer, using the special link we received with our CD-set, my children became immersed in it. 

Later, my oldest said:

I like being able to see what the people making the audiodrama look like.  I also like how in the beginning they say parts of what's on the CD's.  They also talk about the story and the background.  It's fun to find out how it's made.

All of my children enjoy seeing the actors and actresses, hearing their comments, and learning more about how Heirloom Audio Productions takes G.A. Henty stories from page to audiodrama "stage" (studio, really), creating family-friendly CD-sets that are filled with:

• adventure,
• history,
• excitement,
• faith and virtues,

and, of course, engaging listening!

I do as well.  I also appreciate the other extras that come along with the CD-sets and offer opportunities for extending learning should families want them.  With the Beric The Briton, extras included:

• 1 48-page digital study guide, which includes comprehension questions, thought questions, key vocabulary, Bible studies, and more, and which can be used orally or in writing.  (Since the guide is full-color, we like to reference it on-screen so as not to use so much printed ink.  We also prefer to use it as a source for conversation, not written work, but I can see it being super for independent written work for families that benefit from such pursuits, too.  The guide is full enough and flexible enough to use casually or for sit-down studies!)
• a Beric The Briton MP3 Set, which is helpful as a back-up and for those that have portable devices.
• a Beric The Briton E-Book, which would be handier for us if we had a portable reading device, but is still appreciate
• an official MP3 Soundtrack, which includes all the fabulously fun, adventure-filled music composed for the audiodrama
• a Printable Cast Poster, which my children like to look at online
• an Inspirational Verse Poster, which can make for good copywork
• a Behind-the-Scenes Video, which, as I already discusses, my children love!

And the Main Event!

Of course, all the digital extras are excellent and enticing, but the main reason we love Heirloom Audio Productions is the physical 2-CD sets we receive, which move with us from minivan CD-player to living room CD player, and back, depending on if we are taking rides, doing chores, or nursing sick kids.  Indeed, Beric The Briton has accompanied us on long rides, carried us through sorting socks and folding laundry, and kept children with fevers and belly issues contentedly staying still and resting.  The CD-set has also inspired hours of conversation, loads of physical play and dramatization, and, praise God, also some self-initiated free writing for one of my children.  Oh, how happy this adventure-packed, historical, Christian radio theater piece has made us!

Now, I know you must be wondering what exactly Beric The Briton is about.  To answer that question, I asked my oldest (at ten) to give a narration of the story without giving the entire plot away.  He said:

Beric The Briton is about a Briton who battles the Romans and wins, but later is captured and turned into a gladiator.  Beric and his friend train and fight to gain their freedom.  meanwhile, a story about a strange man named Christus goes around Rome.  Beric hears it and has to decide if he will become a followed of Christ.

My son's summary is accurate, but does not capture all the excitement inherent in Beric The Briton. For a taste of that, see this video clip:

I think you can easily see why the cast's voices, the score, the sound affects, and the historical story itself which rings of Christian virtues captures our imaginations! 

Highly Recommended!

When I asked my oldest about why he wanted Beric The Briton and if he would recommend it, he said:

I wanted to get this CD, because I love all the Heirloom Audio Productions CD's.  In this one, I liked the part where Beric fights against the Romans.  I thought it was cool how he used fighting in formations to make an impact on the Roman line.  I also liked that the story had a happy ending, and that it is a letter to Ned and Gerald this time instead of the man actually talking to them like in the other CD's.

Beric has adventure, romance, and humor.  everyone should listen to it.  Even little kids can handle it.  My brother loves it!

 
My youngest son, six, said:

I liked it!  The fire was exciting.  Beric was brave.  I want to listen to it again.  I like to play gladiators with (my brother and sister) now.

My daughter, nine, said:

I like it, because I like the story.  I like how Beric goes to Rome and becomes a gladiator.  If you want to figure out what it was like to be a Briton in that time or if you like Rome, you might want this. 

A funny part is when Beric says to his friend, "How can you lift that so easily...Is that because you have that extra muscle in your neck."  His friend says, "Where?"  Beric says, "right there."  His friend says, "I don't feel anything."  Then, Beric begins to laugh.  he is playing a joke.

An exciting part is when Beric jumps into the gladiator arena to protect someone.

I also like that Beric sails back home and all his friends back home and him have a big feast. 

And me?  I just love how Beric The Briton makes history come alive for my children, my husband, and me!  It's been so much fun this time to witness my children making connections between past studies of Roman history and the story of Beric and talking to friends, family, librarians, history re-enactors, etc. about things they have learned from the CD's.

I have also appreciate how many faith connections Beric The Briton opens up.  It was so easy this year to discuss early Christian martyrs and Sts. Peter and Paul on their feast days with Beric's story so prevalent in my children's mind.  It has also been easier to talk to my children about "touchy" current events they have caught wind of: People have been fighting over religions beliefs for centuries and standing up for Christ, too.  Having a hero like Beric as a model and, in particular, this well-done and engaging story Beric The Briton as a touchpoint for conversation, has enhanced our family's understanding of faith and virtues.Truly, many CD's that I pop into our CD-player during family rides do not "speak" to my husband, but ones by Heirloom Audio Productions always do, and Beric The Briton is no exception.  In listening, we have found ourselves laughing, becoming empathetic, shouting at people in the story, etc.  It is wonderful to share time like this.  I encourage you and your family to try it out.

More Information


You can find out more about Heirloom Audio Productions at:

• the Beric The Briton Facebook Page
• The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty series Facebook page
• the Heirloom Audio Productions Facebook page
• Twitter
• Google+ 
• Instagram @HeirloomAudioOfficial

One-hundred Schoolhouse Review Crew families had the pleasure of immersing themselves in the Beric The Briton audiodrama.  Click on the banner to see if all of them loved doing so as much as my family did.

You may also enjoy our prior reviews of Heirloom Audio Productions which can be found by clicking through each image below.

 

 

We cannot recommend these CD's enough!  We listen to them over and over and talk about them a lot.

Nina's Top Five Traditions for Family Faith

Tonight, Nina and I were chatting and she started telling me about her favorite ways that we pray and study about religion together as a family.  I have to say, I had no idea which of the many ways we practice our faith speak the most loudly to my little girl's heart lately.  Now, I do.

~1~
Rosary Decades

Nina said she likes how we pray the rosary in the car every time we go somewhere.  I must say, I do, too.  It's a prayer peg that I am so glad to have made a habit out of. 

~2~
Bible Time

Nina then told me she loves when we read the Bible together, especially HER Bible.  For, yes, she remains delighted with the Bible that she picked out, which became an answer to prayer for us even though, lately, I have been neglecting to make time daily to read it with her.  (Thank you for the reminder, my sweet child!)

~3~
Peg Dolls

"You might not realize it, Mama..." Nina then began as she walked across our living room and back to me. "I like these, too."  She held out her hand which had a peg doll in it.  Painting peg dolls, using them as decorations during saint "teas", and playing with the dolls all rank high on her list.

~4~
Rose Petals and Thorns

"And, Mama, it's not really prayer, but it sort of is.  I like when we do rose petals and thorns..." Nina continued.  "Rose petals and thorns" was the predecessor and successor to our Five Finger Examen. 

 

We began, years ago, sharing our "rose petals" (or favorite, sweetest, most beautiful memories of the day" and "thorns" (or least favorite, most challenging, most upsetting portions of the day) with one another before bed and praying about them.  Then, we moved into a Five Finger Examen for a while, but now the "rose petals" and "thorns" are back.  It's a simple, lovely tradition which often leads to us going to bed with mas the children thank our Lord for things that were "a whole rosebush!"

{Disclosure:  Some links which follow are affiliate ones.  Should you click through them and choose to make any purchase, we may receive small compensation at no extra cost to you.}

~5~
The Catechism

Finally, Nina said, "I like when we use that book.  You know, with the big circle in the center, and the little pictures around it."  At first, I did not know which of the many books we read that she was referring to, but, then, she added, "The small one," and I knew right away.

"This one?  My First Catechism?"  I asked. 

"Yes."  Nina smiled.  "It's fun when you read that and we answer questions." 

Well, I am glad my girl finds learning the Catechism enjoyable and with a book that currently sells used for but a penny, too.

What are some of your child's favorite family faith traditions and resources?  I would love to hear about them!

How Screentime Became Family Art Time for Us This Summer {An ArtAchieve Review}

In the summer, there is one thing I want less of in our home:  computer time!  Yet, when I was offered a chance to review the Entire Level I program by ArtAchieve, I could not resist the temptation to add just a bit more time sitting in front a screen to our summer schedule.  Mind you, however, that time sitting involves more than just sitting.  Indeed, it wraps family time, creative pursuits, and a bit of professional art teaching all into one engaging half hour to hour to to hour, to, well,  however long the last artist in our family wants to sit at our kitchen table polishing off a project.

Have Your Heard of ArtAchieve?
 


I admit, when I was offered the chance to review ArtAchieve's Entire Level I program, I had no idea what it was.  However, as soon as I clicked over to the ArtAchieve website and read its mission, I knew I wanted to review the Entire Level I program.  For the opening remark in the mission spoke of something I have witnessed but not experienced firsthand - that "anyone can learn to draw."

You see, years ago, I was a child who liked to create, but who received little encouragement, and perhaps a bit too much criticism, for my (lack of) art ability.  Thus, I thought, Some people just cannot do art well, and I am one of them.

Then, an experience in my twenties changed that thinking. 

I was living and teaching in Japan and became wowed by the fact that every Japanese student of mine was a competent artist and that the average elementary-school child in Japan could draw, paint, and create art work on level with many junior and high school counterparts from America.   At annual art days, when the entire school would go on outdoor excursions to create art, which was later displayed at schoolwide culture festivals, I realized that every individual is capable of creating beautiful art.  When art is made a focus, basic techniques are taught systematically, and people are given opportunities to create on their own and in community, skills blossom!  

As a homeschool mom, then, that is what I seek for my children as far as art goes:

• teaching of techniques
• time and space to create
• community to create and share with

ArtAchieve offers all that!

Its author John Hofland is an experienced homeschooler, art teacher, and world traveler who makes art accessible to even the most novice child or adult and, in my experience, creates an opportunity for success right from the git-go!  Better still, because lessons connect to art from around the world that Mr. Hofland has collected images of, lessons also  dovetail nicely with topics in social studies, literature, science, and other subjects -- with connections made even easier by the lists of  supplementary links, resources, and ideas that are included in each lesson.  Plus, since all you need for the art lessons are an internet connection, a printer, and basic art supplies, such as pencils, paper, watercolor markers, a Sharpie, and oil pastels, lessons are super easy to facilitate and won't break the bank nor have you running here, there, and everywhere for specialty art supplies!

How We Used Art Achieve

We began using ArtAchieve with the free sample lessons offered on the site, and, then continued on with the ones we received access to with our one-year license to  the Entire Level I program, which consists of 11 projects (including the free samples) and their warm ups.



At first, we used the slideshow version of the lessons, but, then, quickly realized that we liked the video lessons better.  So, to use the lessons, I'd sit down, download printables for a particular lessons, print them out, set the needed materials on the table, call the kids to the table, then, hit play on the video and set to creating artwork together.  Easy peasy and successful!

Even on days when the kids were a bit grumbly, by the time we got to coloring our artworks, we were all smiles and chatter.  (Mind you, Mr. Hofland suggests playing music when doing art and staying silent, but that's just not our style.  We tried.  We failed at the silence, but succeeded at the art - enjoying chatting about what we were doing and offering encouraging observations to one another.)

Thus it was that our summertime has become more filled with screentime, but also with smiles and creative fun!

What the Kids Have to Say

My youngest, five, has not always liked to create art as Mr. Hofland directs, but he does enjoy coming to the table to prepare himself to work as Mr. Hofland suggests (by rubbing hands together until they are warm and then placing them over eyes and breathing deeply).  My youngest also enjoys creating alongside his siblings and I, even if his creations veer dramatically from the projects suggested (as the man does among the suns below.)

When I asked my youngest about the Entire Level I program, he had this to say:
 

I like in the videos when they show the pictures, not the guy. I also like when my hands are smooth and I rub them and put them on my eyes.  The art is okay.  I like the coloring.

My youngest is not a boy of many words.  His sister, at nine, however, is more loquacious. 

During lessons, my daughter often began verbalizing self-critical frustration early-on despite hearing Mr. Hofland's constant encouraging reminders on video, which her brothers and I echoed.  However, after a bit, her confidence and satisfaction grew, and, when I asked her what she thought of the program, she said:

I like (this program) so far.  I like the man.  He always has us do the exercise with our hands and I really like it.  I also like how he gives us tips. 

I REALLY like the sun picture better than all the rest I have done, but I am not sure if I will like it the best, because I have not done every project. 

I liked how when we did the cat, we had more free will than in the bugs one, where you had to copy every detail or you would not get the right shapes of bugs.  With the cat, you just had to copy a little.  With the sun, all you HAD to do was the coloring and the circle.  The rest was your FREE WILL (besides using cool and warm colors).

 

I made a big mistake with my sun, though.  It said I was supposed to color the rays, but I did not get that correctly and colored outside of them.  So my rays are all white now, but I still like it. 

I guess you don't have to follow all the rules to get art you like. It's good to know the rules, because once you know them, you can figure out which ones you really want to follow and which ones you don't really need to follow to create the picture YOU want to create, not what someone else wants you to create, but what you want to.  I like that the guy says, "Remember you are not coloring for your neighbor, your teacher, your mom, or me.  You are coloring for yourself." 

I hope you'll like the art program, too, if you do it.  I think you should if you like art.

Yep!  I'd say the Entire Level I program is a success for my daughter.

 ArtAchieve is a win with my oldest son, too.  He has always liked drawing and creating, but often has not cottoned to set projects for any length of time.  With ArtAchieve that is changing.  He sits down excited to see specific projects and to remain focused until he completes them.  

When I asked my oldest what he thought about the program, he said:

I like it.  It's fun.  I like learning about the different art from the different countries and being inspired to make my own art especially. 

I preferred the videos to the slideshow, because they were more fun.  I liked seeing what the man's art looked like.  It showed me what was different between mine and his and gave me ideas.

So far, the bugs was my favorite project.  I liked drawing the bugs and it was enjoyable coloring them.  I enjoyed making patterns, coloring, and seeing them in the end.

I asked my mom if we can get Level 2 someday!

I think other people will like this, too.  Everyone.  Kids, grown ups,...  It's fun! 

Final Thoughts

I have been well pleased with my decision to try ArtAchieve out and with the focused, creative time doing so has encouraged my children and I to spend together.  I am also now experiencing the art instruction and encouragement I never did as a child myself and find it so satisfying to create simple projects alongside my children.

"Oh, Mama, I love yours!"  "Do you like how these colors pop, Mom? I do."  "Look at mine!  Look at mine!"  "It's okay.  You won't know what you like until it's done."  "I think that's really good."

Hearing all these comments and more has made the moment many a time for me since we began using ArtAchieve.  I am delighted with how using the Entire Level I lessons have increased my children and my art skill and offered us opportunities to encourage one another.  Without question, I would recommend ArtAchieve to anyone who is not confident at art and wants to meet with success while creating, experimenting, and learning basic art skills.

Learn More



Almost one hundred Schoolhouse Review Crew families tried out ArtAchieve's Entire Level 1, 2, or 3.  Enjoy reading what each had to say and browsing the different projects each family has chosen to share by clicking through the banner. 
   

Find ArtAchieve on:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Artachieve
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/artchieve  @artachieve
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/artachieve/
• Google+: https://plus.google.com/+artachieve
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnahofland/

And, don't forget, you can try out FREE sample lessons to see if ArtAchieve suits your family!

Experience the Testimony of Saint Maximilian Kolbe

This past week we did not get to experiencing all of the sensory-smart ways I had brainstormed for learning more about Saint Maximilian Kolbe.  However, we did enjoy some reading, chats, and activities, which culminated* with Mass and veneration at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, where the Pilgrimage of the Relic of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe had stopped.  (*I use the word "culminated" loosely as there will surely be more study and learning about Saint Maximilian Kolbe to come.)

What a beautiful church Our Lady of Perpetual of Help is.  From the outside, it looks like a simple church.

Inside, though - wow!  As soon as my children and I stepped inside we thought, in my son's words:

This is amazing!  It was gorgeous.  There were statues and paintings everywhere.  The painting of Jesus resurrected and the people just looking up at him, staring in awe.  It was so impressive.  So pretty.

I did not take a ton of photos inside, because I did not think it would be appropriate to keep snapping photo after photo during veneration time, but I did take a few so that my children could better remember our experience, and so that we could continue chatting about the symbolism we had seen and the stories we had heard in the coming weeks, using the photos as a starting point.

My youngest was obviously exhausted when we were at Mass and fell asleep.  He woke as veneration began and was bleary eyed when his siblings took him up to the reliquary to look for the first class relic beard hairs within it.

While there, we noticed some of the symbolism of the reliquary:

• a base shaped like Poland, where Saint. Maximilian Kolbe was from
• thorns to represent the atrocities committed during the occupation of the Third Reich
• the lily bursting forth fro the thorns represents purity
• the tulip represent matryrdom (and, together with the lily, represent love triumphing over hatred)
• a knotted cord represents the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience taken by all in the Franciscan order, including St. Maximilain Kolbe

We also noted the colors of the flowers by the altar - red and white - and talked about how these are the same colors as the crowns young Raymond Kolbe (which is what Saint Maximilian Kolbe was called as a boy) said he would accept from Our Lady.  As the story goes, one night, Our Lady appeared to young Raymond in a dream.  She was holding both a red crown and a white one and asked which he would accept.  The white meant her would persevere in purity.  The read meant he would become a martyr.   Raymond said he would accept both, and, indeed, through his life and death, did just that.

Plus, we examined the painting that was near the relic and connected it to what we know about Saint Maximilian Kolbe. The children noted that:

• In the background there are smokestack sand fences, reminding us of the prison camp Saint Maximilian Kolbe was imprisoned in
• The prison uniform he holds has his prisoner number on it.
• His habit speaks of his calling as a Franciscan priest.
• He holds the crowns he accepted from Our Lady.

Nearby were images of the Divine Mercy and Saint Faustina, so we chatted about those, too, and prayed at the side altar where they were.

Before we left, a sweet Franciscan sister gifted each of us with a Miraculous Medal.  The children took these up to the Saint Maximilian Kolbe relic, prayed, and touched them to the relic.  Yep, at that point, as had happened during  several points when I walked into the church, when I gazed at the artwork, when we celebrated Mass, when I looked down at the sweet face of my sleeping youngest,... tears brimmed in my eyes.  So much to be grateful for.  So many mysteries and graces.  So many blessings.

Life gets busy - very busy - and there are choices to made each day to move towards God or away.  I am grateful for the examples of saints who show us, time after time, how to move toward our Lord.  I am equally thankful for those who currently accept calls as nuns and priests, praying for us and shepherding us.  Likewise, I am thankful for ministries like Our Lady of the Angels that enrich us with experiences such as being able to experience the Pilgrimage of the Relic of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe. 

Experience the Church and Pilgrimage Virtually

If you would like to take a virtual tour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, please view images of beautiful artwork in a slide show on the Our Lady of Perpetual Help website.

If you would like to learn more about the Saint Maximilian Kolbe relic or find out if it will be visiting you soon, check out the 2016 Pilgrimage page.


You can also view a video talk that explains Saint Maximilian Kolbe's story:

May love continue to triumph over hatred and may all of us in our troubled century listen to the testimony of Saint Maximilian Kolbe that love without limits is possible.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe, pray  for us.

Learn Latin through Storybook Readers

I had not heard of the Olim, Once Upon a Time in Latin, Reader I and the Olim, Once Upon a Time in Latin, Workbook I by Laurelwood Books until I was offered a chance to review them. 

Once I read a bit about them, though, I jumped at the chance to try them out with my children as I felt the reader and workbooks would dovetail perfectly with some of our current homeschool initiatives and goals, such as:

• learning about Aesops' fables.
• renewing efforts to learn foreign languages.
• enjoying more learning time together as a family.
• spending more learning time with concrete resources as opposed to computer-based ones.

Indeed, when I looked at the descriptions of the reader and workbook online, I was delighted to see that the reader contains the stories of The Three Little Pigs, The Tortoise and the Hare, and the Crow and the Pitcher.  Two of these three stories were ones that my daughter explored in a recent creative dramatic co-op class I taught and, thus, I felt the reader would make a fabulous follow-up.

I was equally happy to see that the corresponding workbook would provide concrete exercises to go along with the reader's stories, hopefully offering an easy-going way to slip foreign language learning back into our family study times whether those occurred at home or on a break between things when out-and-about.  For, in this season of life, we are often out-and-about so resources that we can easily toss in a tote bag and take with us from kitchen table, to couch, to minivan, to waiting area, to blanket in the sun are ideal.  The Olim, Once Upon a Time in Latin, Reader I and the Olim, Once Upon a Time in Latin, Workbook I are just such resources.  Both are slim, portable soft-cover books.

About Olim

There are currently six readers and corresponding workbooks in the Olim series.  Each non-consumable reader contains familiar fables, parables, or Bible stories in both English and Latin, with adorable black-and-white illustrations.  Corresponding workbooks are consumable and contain exercises that go along with the vocabulary and grammar used in the readers.

Reader I, which we received, is 57 half-sheet-of-paper-sized pages long and includes:

• a page on how to use the reader.
• a 3-page Latin pronunciation guide,
• a page of Roman Numerals,
• the stories of The Three Little Pigs, The Tortoise and the Hare, and The Crow and the Pitcher, first written in English in simplified form, and, then, in Latin in a matching form.
• sidebars with vocabulary notes on every Latin page.
• geometric shapes to denote pars of speech with each adjective in Latin denoted by a triangle next to it and each direct object by a square.
• darling pencil-like illustrations, which are the same in the English and the Latin portions of the reader

The corresponding workbook is 80 8.5 by 11 pages long.  It starts off with some notes and a pronunciation guide and concludes with an answer key.  In between, it is chock full of activities that correspond directly to the readers and include such things as:

• fill-in-the-blank activities
• sentence recognition and completion
• matching
• writing English definitions based on Latin root words
• Digging Deeper sections
• Digging for Treasure challenges

Some of the "deeper" sections are relatively challenging and include:

• nominative and accusative cases,
• etymology,
• verbs,
• singular and plural forms,
• perfect and imperfect tenses,
• infinitives,
• adjectives and adverbs,
• prepositions and negatives,
• asking yes and no questions,
• and derivatives. 

Both the reader and workbook are written for a Grades 2-5 level, however, as you can see, they are pretty meaty, and, thus, I feel, can be used with older students, too.

Our Use and Thoughts

I first introduced Olim to my children on a blanket on our front lawn after breakfast by reading the English version of The Three Little Pigs, which my children immediately commented was different than versions they knew, and, then, doing my best to puzzle out the pronunciation of each word on the first page of the Latin version of the same story.  We practiced the first couple words on that page and, then, paused to attempt the first page of the workbook, at which point, my children got frustrated.  They simply were not ready for the written exercises, and no one wanted to make the workbook his or her own nor to be our family scribe.  Thus, we put the workbook away and went back to page one of the story, giggling over our attempts to pronounce "parvi porci". 

Later that day, we asked Daddy to guess what "Olim" and "parvi porci" mean and were proud to know something he did not.

Another day, we read each story in the reader in English, and, then went back to the first page of the Latin version of The Three Little Pigs to practice the words again.  From there, we continued a such during different sittings, sometimes just using the reader and, at other times, attempting some of the workbook activities.

Although we enjoyed toting our Olim book and workbook about, and found ourselves breaking out the reader during picnics at parks and having fun with words we had mastered, we never (to date) did take off with the workbook or get super great with memorizing the reader as I had hoped we would.   I dare say this is because we kept finding ourselves having to refer back to the pronunciation guide.  So, in the end, we decided that we like the concept of the reader and workbook, but are not ready to use them to their full potential yet. 

Without an audio of the reader for easier reference (as we are weak at using the pronunciation guide), and without the ability of two of my children to read and write fluently on their own and the desire of another child to do "book work", we the Olim materials have no yet proven as good a match for us as I had hoped they would be during this phase of our life and learning.  For, yes, they do dovetail wonderfully with our fables study, provide an opportunity for family learning, pack nicely into a tote, have fun illustrations, come with handy vocabulary columns, etc. However, they do not contain a CD or link for an audio of the story and, without such a feature, we found ourselves getting "stuck".  (None of us are gifted with languages!)

My youngest, at six , said:

I liked the English stories and the pictures.  The Latin was too hard.  I don't know anything, like how to pronounce it.  The book and Mommy tried to teach me, but I needed someone else to say it.

And, yes, he means someone else besides Mommy, who trips up flipping back and forth to the pronunciation guide.


My oldest, at ten, said:

Olim is okay.  They could improve it by making the English and Latin over and above each other.  They also coul improve it by making the stories more like they are in other places.  For example, The Three Little Pigs was different.  The wolf eats the pigs!


What I do like bout it... the stories are short, so you can read the English versions quickly.  You can't read the Latin quickly though.  It's kind of hard, because you cannot understand how to pronounce it easily with the key.  I'd like to have a CD, so you can be exposed to hearing it.

Also, the workbook is too hard for me.  It is long and not fun.

Mind you, my son is about as far from a workbook kid as one can get.  He also, unfortunately, is in a stage where he does not like much that does not com easy for him.  I keep introducing things to get him beyond this stage, but, so far, little has, including the Olim series, which, although not "right" for him right now, is quality stuff, which he told me once he'd like to revisit after learning Latin with some audio-visual materials first.  For he does like the stories, he just wants to pronounce hem more easily.My daughter, at nine, said:

I thought it was a little hard, because you had to go back to the beginning to learn how to pronounce words and also go over which word was which.  So, I think it would be better if the English version and the Latin versions were on the same pages. 

I liked the words themselves though.  "Pare porci" is my favorite.  It sounds fun.

I liked doing the workbook out loud.

I liked that the book can be used as just a story in the English version or the Latin version.  Instead of just having how-o-learn words, you can read a story.

I liked the illustrations, too.

I thought it was cool tat they had some Aesop fables, because I had just done an Aesop fables class.  The fables in the book are different, but they are good.

So, as you can see, while the Olim series is not a perfect fit for us, we all found merit in it and hope to revisit it once we have a better handle on pronouncing Latin without having to look back at the written guide all the time.

Learn More




 
Just because e Olim, Once Upon a Time in Latin, Reader I and the Olim, Once Upon a Time in Latin, Workbook I by Laurelwood Books are not perfect for us right now does not mean they might not be ideal for you.  With a basic command of Latin pronunciation or a different learning style, Olim would move from being a quality resource set with learning merit to a spot-on one, I think.  I love that it is story-based and families can use it together. 

If you'd like to see how Olim fit other families, or if you'd like to check out others' thoughts on further Laurelwood Books'  products, be sure to click on over to read the reviews of 100 Scholhouse Review Crew families who tested out one of the first four volumes of Olim, Once Upon a Time in Latin, State the Facts: A Guide to Studying Your State; the Scripture Scribe series; and Patriotic Penmanship. 

You can find Laurelwood Books on Facebook, too. 

4+ Sensory-Smart Ways to Learn about St. Maximilian Kolbe

I learned this week that a church not too far from us will be hosting the Pilgrimage of the Relic of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe this coming week, so I hope re-arrange our schedule in order to bring my children to either a prayer service, Mass, or veneration at the hosting church. 

Whether we are able to work such a visit into our schedule or not, I plan to focus this week's faith-learning time on St. Maximilian Kolbe, whose feast day is coming up on August 14.  I've come up with seven sensory-smart ways to share ore about St. Maximilian M. Kolbe with my children and thought you might be inspired by them, too.  Of course, I'd love to hear about your favorite St. Maximilian Kolbe prayers, activities, resources, ideas, and links, too!

{Disclosure: Some links which follow are affiliate ones.  Should you click through them and make any purchase, we may receive small compensation at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for supporting us in Training Happy Hearts.}
 

~1~
Taste Saint Maximilian Kolbe's Geography

 

My children know very little about St. Maximilian Kolbe, so we will likely begin our study about him with a reading and prayer from the Picture Book of Saints which focuses on him.  Within this reading, there is mention of some of the places St. Maximilian Kolbe lived: Poland, Japan and India.  Thus, as a part of our ongoing gentle geography studies, we will likely locate these places on a map and, then, to tickle our gustatory senses, we may plan some simple Polish, Japanese, and Indian dishes into our weekly meal plan.  We will also chat about how blessed we are to have ample food to eat and what we can do for those that do in conjunction with discussion about how St. Maximilian Kolbe often shared his food with other prisoners at Auschwitz and, ultimately, suffered starvation.

~2~
View Saint Maximilian Kolbe's Life

I am not sure my younger children are ready for the heaviness of learning too much about Nazi prison camps, but I think my oldest (who happens to love audio-visual learning) can handle it, so we may watch a short video about Saint Maximilian Kolbe together.  I have this one bookmarked, but welcome your suggestions, too.

Please do share your favorite titles and ideas for learning about Saint. Maximilian Kolbe.  Also, be sure to see if the Pilgrimage of the Relic of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe will be close to your area soon, too.

~3~

Love Like Saint Maximilian Kolbe

We will also read the story about Saint Maximilian Kolbe in the Loyola Kids Books of Saints, which ends with asking readers to think of hard steps taken to live in difficult situations.  I am thinking hat after chatting about the story and the question it concludes with, we might get some proprioceptive input in by lifting, bending low, and reaching high to collect and deliver donations for those in need.  Or, we might focus on tactile or visual input with a "loving others" artwork that the children can help envision and create.

~4~

Sculpt or Scavenge for Saint Maximilian Kolbe Symbols

Source:  Our Lady of Angels Province

As I read about the reliquary used for the pilgrimage, two connected learning-and-sensory activities popped into my head.  The first is to engage the tactile and visual senses in sculpting symbols related to St. Maximilian Kolbe's life.  The second is to use our visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive senses with an outdoor scavenger hunt related to St. Maximilian Kolbe - finding a thorn bush to symbolize the thorny occupation of Poland, a white bloom to represent purity, a red bloom to represent martyrdom, something hair-like in nature to remind us of St. Maximilan Kolbe's beard, Japanese knotwood to remind us of a country the saint had once lived in, etc.

~MORE~

Connect Kids to Learning About St. Maximilian Kolbe

As I read Word on Fire's 9 Things to Know about St. Maximilain Kolbe yet more ideas came to mind.  However, I know we'll be too busy this week to weave many of them in.  Still, I thought I'd share my quick thoughts in case any spark a learning experience idea for you:

• Engage the visual sense in making red or white crowns or visions of Mary paintings.
• Enjoy STEM activities.
• Tour a printing place, radio station, or movie studio.
• Make cards for the imprisoned.
• Share food with the hungry.
• Get involved with the works of an organization that supports families, prisoners, journalists, political prisoners, drug addicts, or pro-life activities -- all things St. Maximilian Kolbe is patron to.

Undoubtedly, there are plenty more resources, ideas, and sensory-smart activities that can engage children in learning more about Saint Maximilian Kolbe.  I would love it if you'd share thoughts and links!  Also, do check if the Pilgrimage of the Relic of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe is headed towards your area as well.