Beginning to Learn Greek {A Greek 'n' Stuff Review}

Anyone who knows how lacking in language giftedness I am and how inconsistent I have been in teaching my children anything beyond beginning lessons in any foreign language might wonder why I would opt to try out the Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek! - Level 3 Set by Greek 'n' Stuff.  I mean, seriously, why would I want to tackle a language that has a different script than English and how on earth would I plan to successfully attempt to teach one - especially at "Level 3"?

Why Did I Choose Level 3 Greek?
 


Let me explain why I chose Level 3 Greek - which is a two-part answer.

Part One: Years ago, I worked on a cruise ship staffed, in part, by Greek officers.  The family of one of those officers came to spend time on the ship and his then-teenage daughter Betty asked if she could be my pen friend upon returning to Greece.  I told her, sure, as long as she wrote in English, since I knew no Greek.  And there began a decades long friendship, not only with Betty, but also with her mom, who speaks minimal English, and, yet, has become my Facebook friend and who often says hello to my children and me via Facebook comments.

My daughter enjoys my friend's mom's quick hellos to us and thinks it would be neat to learn some Greek in order to write to her in her native language. I do, too.  Thus, our seed of interest in trying out Greek 'n' Stuff was planted.

Now, a planted seed is all well and good, but why would I start us off Level 3?  Remember?  I speak no Greek and am anything but language gifted.  Plus, my children have studied a bit of this foreign language and a bit of that, but never Greek.  So, why Level 3?

Simple. I had heard that Greek 'n' Stuff's Level 3 Greek curriculum begins with a review of materials taught in Levels 1 and 2 and is a good fit curriculum for beginners in upper elementary grades, which is the age my daughter is at.

How Can a Mom with No Greek Language Skills Teach Greek?

So, now you know why I chose Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek! - Level 3. However, you may still be wondering how I - a mom of no Greek language skills - was expecting to teach the curriculum.

To be honest, I wasn't.  Yes, you read that correctly: I did not expect to teach Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek! - Level 3 and have not really done so.  Instead, I have sat alongside my child as co-learner - not a teacher - with our helpful triple resource of:

• the Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek! - Level 3 student worktext  - a 178+ page softcover, spiral-bound workbook that can lay flat for each of use, has generous spaces for writing in answers, and includes a full appendix and flashcards
• a full answer key - a 178+ page softcover, spiral-bound workbook that mirrors the worktext, but includes complete answer keys as well as pages with a lessons schedule, teaching tips, and more.
• and a pronunciation CD - a recording of the Greek Alphabet song, pronunciation of new vocabulary, and pronunciation of paradigms, which is indexed to the worktext level and page numbers.

With these curriculum aids, my lack of prior knowledge has not hurt my daughter's learning.  We simply opened the books, used the CD as needed to check pronunciation, and began learning together.

How Did We Progress with Lessons?

The first several lessons are about the Greek alphabet, which, for children who have used Levels 1 and 2 of the curriculum, is a review.  Because we were beginning with Level 3, however, the names and sounds of the Greek alphabet were new to us.  Thus, instead of spending just the suggested two lessons on the first ten pages of the worktext, we spent about eight - taking thing slow but steady, with practice and review on whiteboards.  Likewise, we also did not do all of the suggested lesson three - which included six worktext pages as on lesson.  Instead, we practiced one vocabulary word at a time, extending the lesson.

Because of this slower pace, we have not progressed as far as might be expected in the program so far, but we have progressed far enough to know that my daughter has a better memory for the Greek alphabet than I do and finds the Greek words fun.  She even made up a little dance to help her remember the relatively long Greek word "an-thro-pos" for our English word "man".  It was so cute seeing her dance about the house and yard singing, "AN-thro-pos...AN-thro-pos."  It is equally delightful to know that even though my daughter is still developing with decoding and encoding English, she enjoys foreign languages like Greek and wants to pursue more foreign language learning.

What Did My Daughter Think?

When I asked my daughter what she thought of the Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek! - Level 3 Set so far, she said:

"I liked learning the Greek. 

Learning the letters was nice and fun.  I like how they show the hands moving on the letters, so you know how to make them.  The Greek letters were fun to write.  The letters were not really that hard to learn, because we went slow and repeated them a lot using white boards.

My favorite word so far was anthropos, which is man.  I made up a little dance movement. 

(I would like to keep learning Greek), because it is fun and I want to be able to have a whole conversation in Greek.  I would like to use this once a week or so."

We will likely do just that, for, although the program is meant to be used more often - and, of course, learning Greek would happen with greater speed and retention if we used the program as written for multiple lessons a week, we tend to flex things around here.  My daughter needs more time with English decoding and encoding, so we'll keep her foreign language learning moving along now, just more slowly than others might.
Straight-Forward Learning



Whether you want to use Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek! - Level 3 as an everyday sort of learning tool, a several times a week one (as we've been doing) or as a once-a-week one (which we will likely do henceforth), doing so can be easy.  Lessons are quite straightforward and are taught using the translation method, so Greek words are written in a large font at the beginning of each lesson and, beneath them, are phonetic transcription and meanings.  Then, there are a few activities using target vocabulary (write the word in Greek, draw a picture of the word, match learned words and their English translations, circle correct words, etc.)

 Pages of the book are uncluttered and in black-and-white (which is always a boon for children who struggle with dyslexia, attention, etc.).  The CD offers pronunciation without glitz.  There are no gimmicks (cartoons, catchy tunes, etc.)

Learn More You can find more information about the Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek! curriculum on the  Greek 'n' Stuff website, where you'll also find a placement test and free downloadable activities.


You can get social at:

• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/GreeknStuff/         https://www.facebook.com/groups/heyandrewteachmesomegreek/ 
• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/GreeknStuff  
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kuriakos/greek-n-stuff/     
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/karenmohs/ 

You can also read 80 Review Crew reviews, featuring several different products from Greek ‘n’ Stuff, which include:

• Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek! – Level 2
• Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek! – Level 3
• I Can Study Jonah and Ruth Alone with God (Bible study) – NIV or KJV
• I Can Study Esther Alone with God (Bible study) – NIV or KJV
• I Can Study I Samuel Alone with God (Bible study) – NIV or KJV
• I Can Study Acts Alone with God (Bible study) – NIV or KJV

Celebrate the Assumption of Mary with Food, Fun, and Fellowship

This week, I am in the midst of painting pegs for another swap, which reminded me of the Marian Peg Doll Swap I participated in last year on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.  That, in turn, reminded me that I never shared about the actual feast day activities we enjoyed at a friend's home.  So, I am doing so now in case they might inspire your Assumption Day plans for this year.

Our feast day table was set with Assumption-day inspired eats and a Marian peg doll for each month of the year (minus some that were late to the party).  We also had more food in the kitchen.  It included:

• gluten-free, casein-free "prayer arm" pretzels to remind us to pray for the intercession of Our Lady.

 

• fruits and herbs, since both are traditional on this day.
  
  

  
• blueberry pie and blueberry-and-cream topped pastries (since Mary's colors are blue and white).

• herb tea (again, herbs are traditional on this day.)

Of course, as enticing as all the goodies were, we did not dig in until we'd shared time for prayer, learning, activities, and chatting about the feast day.

For this, we gathered all the children together, lit candles, and prayed the rosary.
 

{Disclosure:  Some of the links which follow are affiliate ones.}
 
Then, while the children colored some free Assumption of Mary coloring pages, my friend read and talked about portions of Mary, My Mother, of course, including the parts about the Assumption. 

After this, all the children stood in a line, and we processed into my friend's garden...

...where we prayed a Blessing of the Fruits and Herbs.

Prayers completed, the children enjoyed playing for a bit, the mamas exchanged pegs, then, we all prayed grace, dug into the goodies, and continued to enjoy one another's company.

We had Life of Mary cards available inside to play with and also supplies for making fresh lavender satchels, with the Legend of Lavender in mind.

It was a truly lovely Assumption Day celebration with friends.

As a bonus, my family also enjoyed our own traditional "waffle sundae" picnic later in the day.

We always start this easy meal with prayer and a chat about the symbolism of our foods - such as the blue and white for Mary's colors, "heavenly white" topping over "earth brown" waffles, etc.

Then, we build our sundaes and enjoy digging in!

We also typically select one or more readings about Mary and the Assumption. 

This past year, our selection was taken from Leading The Little Ones to Mary (of which we have an older copy - pictured above next to my son - than the one currently sold - pictured below.)

It certainly was a blessed and full feast day for us last year.  No doubt, it will be again this year. Whether we end up enjoying an at-home celebration as a family after Mass or a full-on Assumption Day celebration with friend's (as we did last year and in 2015), I have no doubt that the day will be meaningful as we remember Mary's Assumption and the hope that we, too, have to join Jesus in Heaven one day.

Almighty ever-living God, who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of your Son, body and soul into heavenly glory, grant we pray, that, always attentive to the things that are above, we may merit to be sharers of her glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
(Collect Prayer)

Learn About the French Revolution with This Exciting Audiodrama! {An Heirloom Audio Productions Review}

Among all the reviews my children and I have done through the years, Heirloom Audio Productions CD's have been a favorite!  So, my children were thrilled to receive In the Reign of Terror, an exciting G.A. Henty story adapted into an audio drama.

The Story

I asked my oldest child, whose 11, to tell you about this exciting - and emotional - story.   He dictated:

In the Reign of Terror is an action-packed story about an English boy who goes to France during the time of the French Revolution to study for a military career, learn French, and teach French boys and his family about the ways - and the language - of the English.

When the boy arrives, he is treated well, but almost like he's the French family's pet.  He is cared for, but their attitude towards him is not one of true human love and acceptance.  This changes after a few dramatic experiences that I cannot tell you about or I'll ruin the story for you.

During the boy's stay in France, the Revolution starts going crazy -- mobs begin to kill people and burn houses... Pro-revolutionary laws are enforced, and chaos breaks out. 

The boy and the French Marqui's family try to live through the terror, and, then, to escape it. That's when the story gets super exciting... and sad.

As you listen, you'll feel anger at certain people, sorrow for hundreds of people, and respect for the main character and some others.  You will also learn about the French Revolution and the American War for Independence.

I would recommend this audiodrama to those who don't mind death and want to learn a lot about history with an exciting story!

You can learn more about the storyline and get a taste of the quality of the production by watching this trailer:



The Production


As you can guess from watching the video above, In the Reign of Terror has all of the trademarks of an Heirloom Audio Productions radio drama that my family has come to love:

• a top-notch cast
• a moving original score
• an exciting tale laced with humor and strong emotion
• likable characters portrayed with depth
• a faith-centered message

Indeed, In the Reign of Terror, like other Heirloom Audio Productions, immediately draws you in and, sweeps you away for 2 1/2 hours of historical drama.  Unfortunately, the time period it carries you away to is a volatile one with much darkness.

Fortunately, light shines in the darkness: a ray of faithful hope!

The Audience


Heirloom Audio Productions creates fantastic audiodramas for family entertainment and learning, however, each of the G.A. Henty adaptations contain intense moments, so audios should only be listened to by younger or more sensitive children after parents have previewed the CD's.   This is particularly true of the In the Reign of Terror story.

Without question, the French Revolution was a grim time in history, and In the Reign of Terror reflects that.  Violence, fires, even brutal executions all occur in the story.  In fact, many of the characters that you come to know and like at the start of the tale end up dying brutal yet, thankfully, "of-screen") deaths further along.  Plus, hundreds of less familiar characters also die.  Thus, young children - and sensitive ones - may not be the best audience for this particular audiodrama. 

My middle child - a sensitive 10-yeara-old - referred to this when I asked for her opinions for this review by saying:

This story is not good for little kids.  It is better for children 12 and over, because it has a lot of death. 

I liked the beginning with the funny parts, but I did not like all the death.

Obviously, although my daughter has listened to this audiodrama, she did not relish it as much as she has past productions.  She found the horrors of the French Revolution - even if dealt with tastefully in this production - just a bit too upsetting to allow her to enjoy this CD as much as she has past Heirloom Audio Productions.

My oldest child - a typically less sensitive 11-year-old - was also affected by the darkness of the storyline.  He said:
 

I love Heirloom Audio Productions and this one is good, but it is not my favorite.  I prefer the ones with a main character and a secondary character such as the Dragon and the Raven and In Freedom's Cause.  This one is more intense, because kids are dying instead of adults and many people die in horrible ways. 

I still learned a lot and liked the CD's though.

Oddly, my youngest - at seven - was not as bothered by the deaths described in this audiodrama, although he commented on them, too.  This, admittedly, concerned me at first as I wondered if my youngest is becoming sadly desensitized to violence.  My concern was short-lived, though, as I realized that my youngest simply keys into the humor, excitement, and drama of In the Reign of Terror more than the heartbreaking realities of lost lives during the French Revolution.

He had this to say:

When this audiodrama first started, I thought it was going to be about the American Revolution, with some of it in France and some in America.  I'd really like to hear one about the American Revolution... and I like the ones with swords, axes, helmets, shields, and chest plates.  I liked this one, too, but not as much as In Freedom's Cause, Under Drake's Flag, and With Lee in Virginia.

What I liked about this one was the humor.  The boy thought the French would have frogs and stuff to eat, but they had bread.  Also, when the guy said, "You are a great stupid," it was funny.  He meant, "You are a great student."  It was funny when the one who was bad at French and the one who was not so good at English were speaking.

Also, I liked the exciting parts like when the mob seized a guy, when there was a wolf hunt, and when a ship went out to deep water...

I especially liked that there was only a tiny bit of romance.

I would not recommend this to people who are sensitive to death.

 More than Just an Audiodrama

Heirloom Audio Productions has  always offered bonuses to go along with their audio CD's.  Such bonuses typically include printable quotes, study guides, official soundtracks, and - my children's favorite - behind-the-scenes peaks at the making of the CD's. 

Now, Heirloom Audio Productions has packaged such bonuses with even more content to create the online Live the Adventure Club.

As a member of the club, you can gain access to:

• a streaming version of In the Reign of Terror
• an In The Reign Of Terror Original E-Book
• an Official Soundtrack
• a Printable Cast Poster
• a Study Guide & Discussion Starter (downloadable and accessible online)
• an Inspirational Verse Poster
• a Desktop Wallpaper Download
• an Official Script Download

You can also find parent helps, online quizzes for kids, an “Old Time Radio Vault” (full of old radio plays), and more.

These features are fabulous and my children enjoyed browsing some and getting 100% into others - like the online quizzes which mirror to a degree portions of the printable Study Guide.  They each, however, echoed the same sentiment after clicking around on the Live the Adventure Club pages for a while:

Please make behind-the-scenes videos we can see again!

Being able to hear and see interviews with the producers and actors involved with the production is definitely something my children missed.

One thing they did not miss was casual use of the Study Guide.  Once again, Heirloom Audio Productions has made a complete Study Guide available for online viewing or download.  The 43-page guide includes:

• short biographies of key historical figures
• Expand Your Learning sections
• illustrations
• a char comparing the American War for Independence and the French Revolution
• Listening Well Questions 
• Thinking Further Questions 
• Defining Words Sections
• a list for further reading 
• 3 Bible studies 

These can all be used for formal studies or can simply be used - as my family uses them - as an informal guide for conversation.  Used formally or informally, the study guide can help children can find opportunities to see how well they are listening and learning and to think and go deeper, too.  It is a truly helpful resource (which I feel would be even better if offered in a simple black-and-white format as well as in the eye-catching one it is already offered in.  That way, those that wish to print out the guide could do so without using so much ink.)

Some Final Thoughts

Between the In the Reign of Terror CD-set, which comes nicely packaged with two CD's, and the Live the Adventure Club, which is chock full of helpful bonus material, Heirloom Audio Productions has done it again.  They have created an on-the-edge-of-your-seat audiodrama that keeps you engaged and extras to keep your education expanding.  I know I came to a better understanding of what the French Revolution was like when I was listening to the CD's, and I am confident that my children did, too.  I also witnessed them enjoying the online club.  In the Reign of Terror, although not in our top three of Heirloom Audio Productions produced so far is still a CD-set we are glad to own.  We have each learned new things and enjoyed parts - if no all - of the tale.

Connect on Social Media

• Facebook: @/HeirloomAudio
• Twitter: @HeirloomStories
• Google+: +HeirloomAudioProductions
• Instagram: @HeirloomAudioOfficial

Learn More

One-hundred families reviewed In the Reign of Terror.  Read each families thoughts:

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

 

 

 

 

An Effective Manipulative for Learning Grammar? You Bet!

When I heard about an opportunity to review the English Grammar Teaching Method using English on a Roll, I was intrigued.  The program is used by parents, teachers, tutors, volunteers and therapists with students ages 5 through adult in order to teach individuals and groups:

• Beginning Reading (K-4)
• Literacy
• Special Education
• English as a Second Language 
• Adult Education 

That's a wide range of ages and learning atmospheres - all of which I have been involved in. 

Thus, I was curious to see how English on a Roll would work for our homeschooling efforts (which include teaching a beginning reader, a child with learning challenges, and a child with attention issues) as well as how I thought it might work for ESL and adult education, both of which I have taught or tutored in the past.

What's Included?

Included in English on a Roll are:  
 

• 40 durable, solid plastic cubes, 38 of which are engraved with color-coded groups of related words and 2 of which are blank cubes for customizing - These cubes are designed to be used in  by one to six students at a time, ideally, which is great for large homeschool families or small co-op classes.

• a sturdy plastic container for the cubes -  The cubes fit a bit snugly in the container, which, happily, means you don't have to count them at the end of a lesson to be sure they are all there! It also means that it may be difficult to pluck individual cubes out of their container.  Luckily, the container comes with a tip: close the container, turn it upside down, and open it so that the cubes rest on the lid.  Then it is easy-peasy to pick just the ones you want to use for a particular lesson.

• ​blank labels - Two of the cubes, as I mentioned earlier, are blank.  Blank labels allow you to easily customize cubes with additional vocabulary.

• a 150-page instructor manual - This manual is written to be used by anyone who has a command of the English language, so novice teachers and practiced ones alike can guide students in learning using the cubes.  The manual includes a handy quick-glance cube guide chart as well as easy-to-follow lesson plans for 37 grammar points.  Each of these lessons includes a highlighted box that tells you what you'll need to prep the lesson (which cube to pull out, what reproducibles to copy, etc.), notes for teaching, and what vocabulary is used in the lesson.  Then, there are clear instructions for teaching a targeted concept, engaging in conversation and/or games, and following up with written exercises (that can also be done orally).
  
  

  

Lessons are written for classroom use, but are easily adaptable to a homeschool setting and - wonderfully - contain reproducible materials with copyright permission for a single family or classroom.
How Does English on a Roll Work? 

Basically, English on a Roll asks students to manipulate 40 color-coded cubes to build phrases and sentences which target fundamentals of English grammar.  In doing so, each major learning style - tactile, visual, and auditory - comes into play

Because lessons use color-coded dice in game-like activities, tactile learners benefit from the program.  Further, word cubes unlock grammar success for reluctant writers who can "write sentences" by selecting, turning, and lining up cubes instead of always having to laboriously put pen to paper when learning to "write". 

Color-coding of word types on the cubes, as well as simple diagrams on the reproducibles within the 142-page instructor manual, help visual learners.

Auditory learners can benefit from the game-like activities and conversations inherent in the lessons.English on a Roll, then, simultaneously keys into three main pathways to the brain - tactile, visual, and auditory - in order to help students enjoy and retain learning.

That enjoyment part is big, too! 

Because activities within English on a Roll lessons have a game-like quality to them, students tend to enjoy learning and be more willing to practice concepts over-and-over.  Such repetition is a significant factor in the acquisition and retention of language - especially for young natural learners of English as a first or second language as well as for struggling learners.

In using English on a Roll with my children, I have witnessed:

• improvements in spelling of words on the cubes
• "ah ha" moments of clarity about grammar concepts
• increased retention of grammar-specific words 

More important (to me!) than all that, I have also seen my children's brows knit in focus and their faces light up with laughter as we make up games and silly sentences using the cubes.

I have also thought, more than once, what a great tool this would have been for me when I was teaching ESL in Japan for five years, for some of the early lessons, I felt, almost targeted ESL learners more than native speakers - but were still useful for my native English speaking kids - and all lessons would have bee useful for my former ESL students.

Likewise, I have thought about how helpful English on a Roll would have been when I was tutoring an illiterate adult some years ago.  She enjoyed games, and we often used cut up index cards in our lessons.  I believe she would have welcomed the English on a Roll cubes and the lessons that go with them.  Indeed, I feel they would have helped me to teach her to read and write with greater fun and quicker retention.


What the Children (and I) Thought

From the first day I introduced English on a Roll  to my children through every subsequent lesson we've used the kit for, one of my children or another has laughed or had an "ah ha" moment.  To me, that is success!

Granted, with some of the first lessons, I initially thought, This concept is way too easy and might bore them.  However, they liked using the engraved dice, so I was able to use the early lessons just to get the children used to the format of the lessons and, for one child, to practice spelling of basic words.

Then, as we progressed, each of my children solidified basic grammar concepts and word spellings.

When I asked each of them for their thoughts for this review, my seven-year-old said:

I don't like that you have to write, but I like making sentences with the dice.  I like rolling the dice and reading the words on them.  I make kind of silly sentences.

He did, enjoy getting silly with the cubes building sentences.  He also managed the actual pencil-to-paper writing - even if he didn't enthusiastically relish it.  The brevity and focus of each written exercise made them "okay" for him.

My ten-year-old struggling learner (pictured above after proudly spelling words from the cubes without looking at the cubes) said:

I like having the dice to roll.  I also like how different types of words are in different colors.  It helps me remember which is which - where they go in sentences.

It's fun when we roll the dice and try to make sentences out of the words. 

The worksheets are okay.  I don't love them, but I don't mind them. I am able to read and spell some words better.

Anything that gets her saying "I like" about English Language Arts and has her saying she could read and spell better is a win for me!

My oldest, at eleven and with attention issues, said:

I like the dice, but I don't like the box they put them in.  It's hard to open. 

I like how the dice are all multi-colored.  I did not know it meant anything at first, but then Mom showed me and I learned the colors showed what each kind of word was.

The dice make it just a different way to do lessons.

For him, routine and structure are necessary, but not always liked.  Novelty, on the other hand, is often devoured.  So, the fresh way of studying using the cubes caught my oldest's attention, while the short, focused structure of lessons kept him learning.

Learn More

My three children with three very different learning abilities, styles, and needs have each benefited from English on a Roll.  Perhaps your child will, too. 

If you want to "try English on a Roll before you buy"? You can access a pdf of the first ten chapters of the Book One Instructor's Manual for FREE! 

If you'd like to see the dice in actions?  Take a peek here:


If you'd like to see many photos of the kit in action as well as to hear how forty Homeschool Review Crew families have been using it, just click through the banner.




You can also find English Grammar Teaching Method on Facebook.

Do you have a kinesthetic, visual, or auditory learner who could benefit from multi-sensory grammar lessons?  How about a child who enjoys learning through games and short-focused activities with built-in review?  Then, English on a Roll might be for you!