Category: Reviews

Searching for quality Australian and New Zealand copy work is time consuming, so we have done the hard work for you. We have chosen ‘living literature’ that is VERY EASY TO USE in the homeschool. We carefully selected a broad range of good literature that we believe will be educational, encouraging, uplifting and bring delight to you and your students. Our extracts are chosen from material which dates from 1700’s-2007 and includes classic fiction, poetry, songs, biographies, studies of nature and explorers’ journals. You can see the literature list when you look at each individual books. Our Beatrix Potter for Beginners and Mother Goose have universal appeal. And the Downunder Copywork series has been developed to provide a language-art resource that has a unique ‘down under’ flavour.   Handwriting Fonts We have traditional and modern handwriting fonts depending on your preference. Many of our copywork books are available in printing and cursive. The manuscript/ball and stick style (used with LEM and in the US).We also have a Foundation font which is a modern slanted manuscript style, used in Australian schools.   What does a homeschooling mother say about our Copy Work ? “From someone who has just purchased the complete set of copy work books for the varying ages of our children, I’d just like to say how impressed I am with them, with the specific and classic Australian...

Genesis, A Commentary for Children is part of the Herein is Love series by Nancy E. Ganz. And I really like it! Yes, this is a Bible commentary on the whole book of Genesis, From Paradise to Promised Land – Genesis to Joshua, written to children but it isn’t dumbed down in the slightest. Even adults will learn valuable lessons and gain valuable gems from this book. I nearly cried as I read the Introduction as the author tells why and for whom she wrote this book. Even from reading the introduction I knew that this was a book that I needed to read… and needed to share with my children.   This mammoth 545 page book includes 68 lessons and includes a teacher?s study guide to correspond with each lesson. The teacher guide is very similar to what I already do as she suggests the use of visual aids, memory work, craft, review questions, prayer, psalms to sing and a field trip. This book is one part of a 4 book series that covers the four books of the Old Testament. You can see more about this series at Shepherd Press, including sample pages. The promises of God, His promise of a Saviour, His wonderful grace, mercy and love are delightfully and truthfully told while also telling the stories of history with wonderful accuracy. Cultural and historical insight...

Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach written by Robin Sampson The Heart of Wisdom Publishing Company is a family owned and operated business that publishes a variety of homeschool resources useful for Christian families in the training of their children. This approach uses the Bible as the centre of all education. Those who are interested in a Bible based, Delight-Directed, Note-Booking, or Charlotte Mason approaches may like these products as the author has taken the best from each approach and blended them to make the Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach. I have used some of the Heart of Wisdom units for a few years now but I have been most influenced by Robin?s book, The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach. I have learned that the Bible outlines how we should teach our children?that study is a form of worship. The goal of this approach is to train children to read, to study, to understand, to love to learn and, most importantly, to desire and seek true wisdom. A benefit to this approach is that it is multi-level teaching and can be used by a mother with children of all ages. I loved ‘Educating the WholeHearted Child’ by Clay and Sally Clarkson and it provided a vision but, for me, it left out many practical how-to’s. The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach fully provides this yet with the expectation that each...

Those of you who know me or have visited this blog or my webpage will probably have gathered that we place great importance upon the Bible. I love the Narrated Chronological Bible with its running commentary.A few weeks ago, when DH and I were in Word he showed me a new Bible but I gasped at the price. I thought I’d come home and do an online search to find out if I could source it cheaper. I couldn’t. By the time I’d gotten back to Word, they had completely sold out. So, I ordered one and I received last week.  It’s great! It’s called the Archaeological Study Bible– an illustrated walk through Biblical History and Culture.For those that like a Bible-First approach to home-based-learning, this looks like a great study tool. It will provide a wonderful and rich resource, especially when used in conjunction with other study tools, like the Victory Journey through the Bible.  It is a NIV with full colour illustrations, a bonus CD-Rom, study notes, articles, and much more. I won’t rave on about it anymore. You can go to the website and download a free 90 page sample for...

History Lives series Peril and Peace: Chronicles of the Ancient Church Volume 1 by Mindy and Brandon Withrow Isbn: 1845500822 * This series is written from a Protestant perspective Suggested age: 8-12 but I would easily say a student of 16 would be quite happy to read this book.   I love learning about Church History! But finding a good book that are not way above my head can be tricky, for me. Finding a good book that the children can learn from is also tricky. Not so with the series from ChristianFocus. Volume One contains the history of the early and Ancient Church. You will read about Paul, Polycarp, Justin, Origen, Cyprian, Constantine, Athanasius, Ambrose, Augustine, John Chrysostom, Jerome, Patrick, and Benedict. This volume will allow you to discover the roots of Christianity and learn about issues such as worship; creeds and councils and the formation of the Bible. This series is written in a fairly modern style, so it differs slightly from other books such as “Trial and Triumph“. It isn’t gory so it’s a good read to get an overview of Church History. This 240 page book has longer chapters interspersed with shorter, factual chapters. If you’ve been wondering how to study Church history with your children, you’ll want these books! They aren’t too brief or dumbed down but they definitely aren’t textbook style, which puts...

Want a fast-paced, high energy tour through history? Then you might like Drive Thru History with with Dave Stotts! We have watched Drive Thru History: Rome If You Want To.. and Turkish Delight as well as Greece and the Word. We’re looking forward to the next DVD; East Meets West.  Each DVD is a part of the Drive Thru History series in which the sometimes hilarious Dave Stotts explores the history of Western Civilisation. Some may feel that Dave Stotts is a little irreverent so be warned but we enjoyed his sense of humour- he’s not rude, just tend to point out the obvious. Each DVD has 3 episodes of approximately 30 minutes each. Personally, those in our family who have studied a full rotation of world history and have an idea of the places mentioned, seem to enjoy this a lot more than the younger children. Therefore, I would recommend these DVD’s to those who are familiar with the places and events visited. It is not a curriculum (although the American history series which is a full curriculum looks so good…I wish they’d one one Australia!) but a good, fun, visual tie-in once you’ve learned about those areas, people or places in your history studies. These are available from Koorong or Word from $16 through to $21 each DVD. Some of the series are on The Australian Christian...

Crowns of Fire is a rich, literary story of the Australian bush, originally written by Amy Mack (and I love her work) and it has been adapted by Michelle Morrow of Down Under Literature. The illustrations, by fellow Australian Cath Chegwidden, are just stunning! This book would be a timely addition to any homeschool library as it talks about the effects of drought and bushfire. It is suitable for all ages. This 29 page hardcover book is available from Down Under Literature, who also publish and supply the fantastic Wonderland of Nature by Nuri Mass. But wait, there’s more! In addition to the Wonderland of Nature is a ‘must-have’ companion book: The Wonderland of Nature Journal CD which has three sections: How to Nature Journal, Discovery Sheets (excellent!) and Web Links.  For all things Aussie, and Nature, and Grammar, and Copy Work, check Down Under Literature for pricing details and generous samples. Tell them Susan said...