Illuminating Literature: Characters in Crisis from Writing with Sharon Watson: A TOS Crew Review

Illuminating Literature: Characters in Crisis from Writing with Sharon Watson We have another favorite from Writing with Sharon Watson!  We are loving Illuminating Literature: Characters in Crisis from Writing with Sharon Watson.  This literature curriculum is designed for grades 9-12th, and is a full year of study.  Be sure to also check out the first volume - Illuminating Literature: When Worlds Collide {Crew Reviews} - they can be done in any order.

Illuminating Literature: Characters in Crisis comes in a 4 book set (3 physical softcovers, and one a reproducible PDF download):

• Illuminating Literature: Characters in Crisis Paperback
• Illuminating Literature: Characters in Crisis, Teacher’s Guide
• Illuminating Literature: Characters in Crisis, Quiz and Answer Manual
• Illuminating Literature: Characters in Crises Novel Notebook {PDF}

This volume covers both short stories and books - 

• “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell, in the textbook
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Dover Publications
• Silas Marner by George Eliot, Dover Publications
• Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, Dover Publications
• An Assortment of Short Stories:
• “A White Heron” by Sarah Orne Jewett, in the textbook
• “The Garden of Forking Paths” by Jorge Luis Borges, link provided
• “Haircut” by Ring Lardner, link provided
• “The Lady, or the Tiger?” by Frank Stockton, in the textbook
• “Of the Passing of the First-Born” by W. E. B. Du Bois, in the textbook
• “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” by Dylan Thomas, link provided
• Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, Dover Publications
• Biography or autobiography of student’s choice
• The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, Mariner Books

The author recommends using the coordinating versions listed by ISBN number in the Teacher's Guide - the benefit is that all the exercises are keyed to specific page numbers for your student.  The short stories are included in the textbook, or with a provided link.  

I don't even know where to start with telling you how much I adore this curriculum!  Literature is one of our favorite subjects, and we love a focus on the classics with upper level thinking (and no twaddle!) Especially in high school. This curriculum exceeds all of my expectations.

First - The Teacher Guide walks you through step-by-step how to get your children involved in the Great Conversation of literature.  It includes everything you need: from a planning guide with fun ideas for a Book-of-the-Month club (coming soon to Bentz Academy - working out the details now!) to a detailed answer key and guide for each of the literary works covered and grading rubrics and online quizzes (graded for you).

This, I believe, is where most of the homeschool moms I know have the hardest time.  Making the transition from just reading literature with their students to truly studying literature in-depth.  Sharon Watson gives you everything you need - from Facebook posts with interesting facts for you to share with your students, to quality discussion questions/answers, to a full "Choice of Activities" to really bring your student's literature to life - i.e. research, create, rewriting the story, hands on activities, and more!

The Student Text is written directly to the student in a very engaging and interesting manner.  It includes pre-reading activities and a suggested reading schedule and a homework plan to help your student manage their time.  The course is designed for you to spend approx. 3-4 weeks on each novel/story. This course can be done at-home, or it makes a perfect Co-op class (our Co-op is currently offering her other course).  

Literary terms are clearly defined and discussed.  The short stories are all included in the text.  After reading, the text includes passwords for the online quizzes (which are graded for you), questions for discussion, and their choice of activities to bring the literature to life.

The Quiz & Answer Manual is included for those who prefer paper.  Each literature choice includes a "Yes, I Read It" quiz, and a "Literary Terms" quiz.  These are excellent ways to test your student's comprehension and understanding.  The books also include an "Opinion Survey" that allow your student to express themselves and apply lessons from the literature to their own worlds.

The Novel Notebook - this is a 86 page, downloadable PDF in full-color.  You can download as many as you need for your students, or just the pages you want them to complete.  It includes questions and worksheets your student can complete to go along with each piece of literature studied.  Here a just a few examples - 

Now - on to all the ways I love this course!  

• It's written from a decidedly Christian worldview.  All of the characters in literature may not be Christians, but they can and do reflect our human condition and God's grace.  This course helps our students understand and apply these lessons through literature.

• The discussions -  What a joy it is to discuss high-quality literature with your students!  We started with "A Jury of Her Peers" first, and we are still discussing it. Having both sons and daughters in my test group - we had some very heated discussions.   Sharing literature with your high schoolers will be one of your greatest homeschooling memories...I promise!  This course gives you all the tools you need to really get to heart issues.

• The extras.  Sharon Watson has really gone above and beyond to craft a well-rounded literature study. There is something to engage every single learning style.  The variety will keep your students engaged and learning.  The depth of the study will give them the preparation they need for college study.

This is by far, our favorite literature study for high school.  You will want to check this one out!

Find Writing with Sharon Watson on Social Media:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/WritingWithSharonWatson

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/writingwithshar

Hashtags:  #hsreviews #highschoolwriting #writingcurriculum

See what other members of the Crew thought here

Forbrain from Sound for Life LTD: A TOS Crew Review

Forbrain from Sound for Life LTD
Do you have any struggling readers, speech issues, or even memory struggles?  We have been testing a revolutionary new device - Forbrain from Sound for Life LTD.   Check out this video:



This rechargable headset is designed to help the wearer improve verbal and memory skills. It is designed for ages 3 to adult.  By using your own audio-verbal loop - you can hear your voice accurately - their motto is  “use your voice to boost your brain”. 
 Forbrain comes in a sturdy, zippered case for storage and contains the rechargeable headset, USB charging cord, User manual/instructions, and extra microphone covers. This headset has several components:

•  Dynamic Filter - which enhances speech frequency and keeps your brain active 
• Bone Conduction transducers - these sit right next to your ear (not in or on them) and transmits the sound of your voice 10 times faster and with better clarity
• High quality Microphone

My tester is 10 years old, and has struggled with speech and reading.  She is also my "techie" kid, so I had no problem introducing a new gadget (and she feels super cool wearing it). 

Forbrain recommends wearing the headset for 10-15 minutes twice a day for her age (slightly longer for adults).  The ability to clearly hear your own voice has many benefits including auditory processing, reading fluency, memory and more.  

My tester has really struggled with reading aloud clearly.  She inserts many vocal pauses and odd "em, um, ahh" sounds while she reads.  So, we decided to give Forbrain a test everytime she read aloud, as well as, when she read independently.

 Right away, you notice how loud your voice is.  It takes a bit of getting used to, hearing your voice (and actually "feeling" it too).  I tried it on, and used it while reading aloud as well.

My tester loved using it!  I had her wear it anytime she was reading aloud, or working on reading exercises.  The company recommends 6 weeks of use to see results.  However, after just a few uses - we started noticing improvements!

My tester says it helps her "focus" on what she's reading.  I've noticed a dramatic decrease in her vocal pauses when she reads to me.  Another comment from my tester - "I like reading alone in my room, and I don't feel lonely, because I hear myself". :-)

Forbrain is easy to use, and surprisingly effective.  My tester plans to keep using it.  You will want to check it out!

Find Forbrain on Social Media: 

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/forbrainLTD

Twitter : https://twitter.com/forbrainheadset

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/forbrain---retrain-the-way-you-process-information

Hashtags: #hsreviews, #forbrain #ADD #ADHD #sensoryintegration

See what other members of the Crew thought here

Note from vendor:

It is a headset which can be used by Children and Adults. Designed for people with Attention difficulties, Speech and language issues, poor memory.  It needs to be used once or twice a day for 15 minutes each and for at least 6 weeks. Minimum age is 4.

Note from me:

From the website, they talk about how this device can improve attention, concentration, verbal working memory, and short-term memory.  

Thin Stix Creativity Pack from The Pencil Grip, Inc.: A TOS Crew Review

Thin Stix Creativity Pack from The Pencil Grip, Inc.
We LOVE our new - Thin Stix Creativity Pack from The Pencil Grip, Inc.!  We have been long-time fans of these no-mess paints, and now it's even better with 24 colors in one pack! Each Thin Stix is a self-contained painting tool.  All you need to do is take off the cap and paint - no brushes, no water and NO MESS.  Can I hear the amen from the moms?  These handy pens are filled with solid tempera paint that drys in 90 seconds.  They paint on a wide variety of surfaces - like paper, wood and cardboard easily.   The Creativity Pack has 24 colors, the 12 basics, PLUS 6 metallic and 6 neon colors.  This is taking creativity to a whole new level...

The Metallic colors are a new family favorite - the little bit of sparkle brings the colors to life.

The Neons are bold and bright!

Thin Stix are thinner than the Kwik Stix for better control.  They are designed for ages 3+ (but, completely non-toxic, just in case) ALL of my testers love them.  They go on smooth, and are very easy to use. In fact, my testers claim painting has never been more fun.

We couldn't wait to use them!  I love how they are mess-free (see...she's painting on the carpet - it's where we do school most days, excuse the mess)  My testers have even taken these on road trips and painted in the van - check out my review from last summer.

The ways to use them are only as limited as their imagination.  My testers were assigned to create a "coat of arms" that described themselves for our Co-op history class.  All ages - grades 3rd -12th.  Fortunately, this treasure had just arrived -Thin Stix to the rescue.

They really are good for all ages - my SENIOR loved using them just as much as the younger students.  

The end result was something they could be proud of.  The new metallics were the perfect touch.  The colors are vibrant, cover completely, and don't smudge like markers can. 

With the holidays around the corner, these would make an excellent gift or stocking stuffer!  They are truly a must-have in the homeschool supply chest.

Find The Pencil Grip, Inc. on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepencilgrip/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepencilgrip @thepencilgrip

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thepencilgrip/

Hashtags: #hsreviews #KwikStix, #temperapaint, #kidsartsupplies

See what other members of the Crew thought here

The Magic Stories from Allsaid & Dunn, LLC: A TOS Crew Review

The Magic Stories from Allsaid & Dunn, LLC publishers of The Reading Game and authors of the Wordly Wise series

We have been learning to read for a loooong time at Bentz Test Laboratory!  We are happy to introduce you to a new program - The Magic Stories from Allsaid & Dunn, LLC, who are the publishers of The Reading Game and authors of the Wordly Wise series.  This is a supplemental program for readers at the 2nd/3rd grade level, designed to boost their reading confidence. It can be used as a follow up to The Reading Game (we did not use this).

The Magic Stories are a downloadable set of 6 stories.

• The Magic Hole
• The Magic Ax
• The Magic Joke
• The Magic Hotdog
• The Magic Book
• The Magic Box

 Each story is around 20 pages in length with sweet black and white illustrations.  You can print out the books and let your student color the illustrations, or read them digitally. The stories are optimized to work well on your tablet or e-reader.  My testers loved having their "own" books on our Kindle Fire, and it made the reading even sweeter for them.

The stories are written well, and are a great complement to your regular reading instruction. The "magic" in the stories isn't the kind you think.  These stories are filled with moral characters, and wholesome stories. (I wish they'd named it something different...)  My tester in 3rd grade found them easy to read, and enjoyable.  They are short enough for one sitting.

 Each story comes with 4 additional printable exercises you can use alongside the stories for deeper discussion, creative writing and more.  These exercises allow for plenty of imagination, as well as writing practice.

 In addition, each story features a "Naughty 40" -  once again, not the way you think, they are the are words new readers tend to struggle with.  

The additional downloads contain printable flashcards for practicing these words, which do not always conform to straight phonics rules.  There is a fun reading maze as well to test their comprehension of the story.

The Pre-Post Reading assessment is a great way to see if they are mastering those new words.  A Running Record gives you an opportunity to see how well their fluency is.  Both great tools for you with your new readers.

These are a great addition to our reading and my testers truly enjoyed them.

Allsaid & Dunn, LLC is generously offering a 25% discount Just use the code - "raisingreaders"

Find The Magic Stories on Social Media:

• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TheReadingGame/ 
• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TheReadingGame2   
• Pinterest: https://au.pinterest.com/TheReadingGame/   
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVfPcsCZ7zyM7kjiD5Qjn5g   

Hashtags: #hsreviews, #goodmorals, #character, #childrenstories

See what other members of the Crew thought here

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