Visual Latin Review and Coupon Code!

I was unconvinced that Latin would be necessary for my kids to learn, until I saw a sample of Dwane Thomas’ teaching. I liked it so much (it made me laugh!) that I asked if I might review it for them, and they generously agreed-even giving you a coupon code!  Visual Latin just plain rocks. Yep, who knew Latin could be funny?  Let’s get the details out here and I will tell you why I think it is worth a try for your family too. Here is the product information from their website http://store.compasscinema.com/categories.php?category=Visual-Latin/Latin-1

Product Description

These 3 DVDs include everything you need for Latin 1. (Each of the 3 videos are less than 10 minutes each, so you get between 15-25 minutes of video per lesson.)

WORKSHEETS: Includes PDF worksheets and lessons as files accessible on the DVD or via the internet.

Part of the hesitation with Latin, is the boredom factor. This truly is unlike any other program you might have seen. The day before we started school this year, my kids both were decidedly UNexcited to do Latin. After the first video, it is suddenly the class they can’t wait to do! The teacher is down to earth, funny, and delightfully imperfect in his delivery.

Don’t let that fool you into thinking it is not a serious course. It is. The people at Compass Cinema are focused on making you successful. Their website is clear in defining how to extend this into a high school credit course, the PDF’s are easy to find and print out, and there is personal support with this company. They answered my emails and questions quickly.

You can either buy the DVD’s or download the lessons to your Ipod. They even give the option of dowloading just sections of the lessons if that is more cost effective to break it down. There is a Visual Latin II that we’ll continue with next year. I do hope you won’t be intimidated by Latin, because with a course like this available the drudgery is taken out, and the excitement for learning is put in. Did I mention the videos are funny? Just making sure…

The folks at Visual Latin have agreed to give you a coupon code for 1o% off the purchase for the next three days. Use CHRISTA10

 

Confused About Homeschooling Teens?

I was. I have read just about every book out there on homeschooling teens, and thought there wasn’t much more to learn. I was wrong!  This book has tons of original content. Not just ideas, but details necessary for thorough application. It is hefty, nice large print (as an aside) and has a great chapter on “Educating Teens for the Real World”. I know many people feel overwhelmed and I promise that this book covers every issue you can think of.

Highly recommend The Ultimate Guide To Homeschooling Teens by Debra Bell

High School Science, What’s A Mom To Do?

One of the “big two”. Talked about in animated circles, we lean in. Our eyes studying facial expressions to determine how the other curriculum really is working out. We research, agonize, shake our hands to the sky…

Which.Science.To.Use….gasp….For.High.School.

Naturally I can relate. My teen is hitting tenth and we finally finished Biology with a lab. Whew. Now on to Physics or Chemistry. Whoa, slow down a bit. Aside from the fact that she has no desire for these classes at this point, to pursue them this year would take time away from a science lab that truly would captivate her.

I use humor to describe the shocked reactions, friends hesitant on my behalf to break off the surely accepted path, and still willing to peer down the trail we are deciding to follow. Friends! Those are not the only two choices! I have researched this heavily (read- obsessed for two years) and there are choices! What to say of continuing to find classes that suit your child’s learning style (they might not be strong enough in math to tackle Physics quite yet), their interests (Chemistry makes them yawn but studying Botany might just lead to a future career that they dream of). Barb Shelton has a book about this topic that was very eye opening to me. Check her out if you’d like more ideas.

Colleges appreciate diversity. All this fear of something that steals our time and joy. We want to have our children best prepared for life, perhaps college. Perhaps not. Think large picture here. Labs can be achieved in countless scientific pursuits. Study up on what a Lab IS, and what the purposes are. You might be surprised at how simplistic the main idea is. Yep, we are breaking tradition this year. Going to trust God in his leading, to continue on the path just right for this child. For this year.  She will only be stronger for it next year. Take courage and pursue alternate science for a year if your child so desires. I want her to leave thinking science is fantastic, not dreary. It is a wonderful world into which we glimpse God’s handiwork. I can only wish I had been taught that as a youth.

This year we are studying Classical Astronomy. Modern Astronomy studies skies using high-tech equipment. Classical uses techniques as old as time, to tell seasons and so much more. This too will count among her labs, which we are choosing to have an excess of. Hands on experience helps cement ideas. She is thrilled to begin this new study, and I admit after reading the book intro, for the first time I am too.

Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself.

Www. dailylearners.com is a fun source for quotes about learning, which is where I nabbed this one which sums up my theory exactly

Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself.
-John Dewey