Some Southern Gospel for your Sunday morning.
The McKameys singing You’re Still God and The Barrett Family singing He’s Got a Miracle for You
Logic of English Essentials Homeschool Curriculum Review
For the past few weeks I’ve been using Logic of English Essentials 2nd Edition with my 9th grade son. I received the Essentials homeschool curriculum complete set, which sells for $198 on the website, to review.
The Logic of English homeschool reading and spelling curriculum uses a common sense, multi-sensory approach to learning. The Logic of English basis their method on the 74 basic phonograms and 31 spelling rules that together explain 98% of English words. The Logic of English approach doesn’t use any sight words, it teaches students why words are read and spelled the way they are.
The Logic of English has curriculum for all ages. From students just learning to read, struggling readers, poor spellers, and those students needing remedial help, all the way to adult learners.
Essentials, a multi level reading, spelling, grammar and vocabulary curriculum, is recommended for ages 8 – adult. It is a complete spelling, grammar, and vocabulary curriculum for grades 2-6.
Logic of English Essentials Homeschool Curriculum Review
The Essentials Volume 1 Complete Set includes all the components of Essentials needed to teach the first semester of the curriculum.
Essentials Teacher’s Guide, 2nd ed., Volume 1
Essentials Student Workbook, 2nd ed., Volume 1
Spelling Journal
Basic Phonogram Flash Cards
Spelling Rule Flash Cards
Advanced Phonogram Flash Cards
Grammar Flash Cards
Morpheme Flash Cards, Set 1
1 deck of Bookface Phonogram Game Cards
1 deck of either Cursive or Manuscript Phonogram Game Cards (choose Cursive or Manuscript in the dropdown menu above)
Phonogram Game Tiles
Phonogram and Spelling Rule Quick Reference
Spelling Analysis Card
The Student Workbook and the Spelling Journal are consumable. You will have to buy one of each of them for each student. When the student is ready for the second semester, you will only need to add the Volume 2 Teacher’s Guide, Workbook, and Morpheme Cards.
There is a lot included in the complete set. Don’t let that intimidate you, though. The Teacher’s Guide, with over 600 pages, lays it all out for you. Telling you what you need to do when. I have to admit that I was a little overwhelmed by all the flash cards. The Teacher’s Guide takes care of that, though. It tells you what cards to use and when to use them.
There is a section in the Teacher’s Guide on how to create your schedule. There are 15 lessons included in Essentials 1. Each lesson is divided into 5 days. Each days lesson will take approximately 30-45 minutes. Depending on the age of the student and what level they are at, you may need to spend more, or less, time on each lesson.
There is little to no teacher prep involved before each lesson. If you keep all the books and flash cards together, you will have everything you need. You read through the lesson in the Teacher’s Guide as you go. It tells you what to say and when to say it.
I’ve used the term multi level a couple of times. The curriculum includes 3 different levels. Parts of each lesson are labeled “All”, “A”, “B”, “C”. These labels tell the teacher which concepts are taught to “All” the students, or students on each of the 3 levels. There is a placement test that tells you which level to start your student on. Then the lessons can be adjusted as your student grows and learns. For example, your student may go from level A to level B. If you have students on different levels, you can still teach them together for the “All” work, then they can work separately on whatever level they are one. This makes it great for homeschoolers that have more than one student. There are plenty of teacher tips throughout the book, helping you to ensure that your student gets the most out of the curriculum.
The Spelling Journal is a student created reference. It has a sound to spelling reference, a phonogram table, and spelling rules in the front. Those are followed by pages for the student to write their spelling words. These pages are organized by sound, not alphabetically.
The Student Workbook has over 300 pages. It contains activities to reinforce the lessons. There are different pages for each level. They are clearly labeled A, B, or C. Some pages are to be done by all levels, and these are not marked. The Teacher’s Guide tells you what page in the workbook to do when.
The Logic of English Essentials 1 is a thorough, teacher intensive multi level reading, spelling, grammar and vocabulary curriculum. It requires the teacher to be hands on through out the lesson. My 9th grade son did not like that, as he prefers to work independently. The intense teacher involvement works great for beginning readers, those needing remedial help, and adult learners.
To see what others had to say about Essentials, as well as reviews of other Logic of English curriculum, click the graphic below.
In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu
I was actually quite busy in the kitchen over the last week. One night last week, we had Venison Guisado for dinner, served on tortillas. It’s taco flavored meat with tomatoes and onions cooked with it. I made it in the slow cooker for the first time, and it came out great.
I was tired one might last week and didn’t feel like cooking what was on the menu. So I quickly made breakfast for supper. Eggs, turkey bacon, toast, and orange juice. The family didn’t mind that I cooked breakfast for dinner. They like it.
We usually do a big dinner for Easter with guests. This Easter, though, with my mother in the hospital, I didn’t invite anyone over. We quickly ate our meal then went to the hospital.
I put some Easter candy out as the centerpiece of our dinner table. The kids started eating it before I could take a picture. And before dinner! lol My daughter said I served the best appetizers anywhere. Better than any restaurant. lol
Dinner was a simple affair. Ham, mashed potatoes, asparagus, corn, and Resurrection rolls. I put a chocolate bunny on the plates of my three youngest kids. My daughter surprised me and put some chocolate candy on my plate! So sweet!
Did you see those Resurrection rolls? Those things are seriously dangerous! They are so good it is hard to stop eating them! They are a little tricky to make, but they are worth it! You dip a marshmallow in melted butter, then in cinnamon sugar, then seal it inside a crescent roll. So good!
I lightly cooked the fresh asparagus and it came out perfect.
My dinner plate. And yes, I had a second Resurrection roll! It’s a good thing I only make them once a year on Easter! lol
My son brought an apple pie to contribute to dinner. We also had Strawberry Shortcake. That I didn’t get a picture of! I was to busy eating it! lol
I have decided to make Strawberry Shortcake our official Easter dinner dessert. It’s perfect after a big meal, and it just says spring.
In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu
Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?
Saturday – quick & easy- Dinner out
Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Easter Dinner- Ham, mashed potatoes, corn, asparagus, Resurrection Rolls, Apple Pie, Strawberry Shortcake
Monday – chicken or turkey – Chicken strips, oven roasted potatoes, green beans
Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Ham Alfredo Pasta – made with leftover Easter ham
Wednesday – Taco Night- Venison taco salad
Thursday – pork or beef – Skillet Sausage Pasta, green beans
Friday – venison – Old Fashioned Venison Steaks with Pan Gravy, mashed potatoes, corn
For more ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday
My Son My Savior DVD from FishFlix.com Review
I recently received the dvd My Son My Savior from FishFlix.com to review. I love finding great Christian movies for my whole family to watch. FishFlix.com has a plethora of Christian movies. From biographies to educational to kids & family movies to Apologectics, prophetic, & evangelistic movies & more! There literally is something for everyone and every family to watch.
FishFlix.com has a great story behind it. FishFlix.com started over a decade ago when Dr.Enis Sakirgil, a Turkish Christian, became involved in the making of a Christian movie – Apostle Paul and the Earliest Churches. The heart behind this film was to let Christians in the West know about the wealth of Biblical history in Turkey, currently one of the nations least reached with the gospel.
When Dr. Sakirgil immigrated with his family to the United States, he began selling that movie on the internet. Before he knew it, he was selling other Christian Movies and FishFlix.com was born.
FishFlix.com says they exist to create honorable jobs and expand the Kingdom of God in Turkey though their partnership with ministries over there. FishFlix.com believes that media and entertainment are gifts from God that help them spread His message with creativity and excellence.
I haven’t purchased from FishFlix.com before. I didn’t know about them! I love their purpose and the fact that ministry is their driving force. I plan on purchasing from them in the future.
You can connect with FishFlix.com on these social media channels:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fishflix
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FishFlix @FishFlix
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ChristianDVD @ChristianDVD
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fishflix/
Now, on to the My Son My Savior movie review!
I have always wondered exactly what Mary knew about Jesus while he was a baby and growing up. Do you know what I mean? Did she really know everything? My Son My Savior doesn’t answer all my questions, because the Bible doesn’t tell us much about Mary, so no one (on earth) knows all the answers.
My Son My Savior uses the Gospel accounts of Mary & Jesus as the basis for this movie. At the beginning of the movie you see a young Mary with her father. It then moves on to where the Bible starts discussing Mary, and follows thru to the crucifixion and resurrection.
There is very little extra added to the movie that is not in the Bible. This movie stays close to the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life. I love that My Son My Savior doesn’t add extra scenes (except for young Mary) and extra dialogue that isn’t in the Bible. So many so called Christian movies have come out in the last few years that are anything but Christian. Thankfully, My Son My Savior is not like those!
My Son My Savior is a well made movie. The cinematography and the actors portrayal of their characters is all excellent. One word of warning. There are crucifixion scenes with a beaten and bloody Jesus. So if you have sensitive young children, you may want to pre-watch to see if it is ok for your young children to watch.
Overall, My Son My Savior is a great Christian movie for the whole family to watch.
In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu
It was another busy week here. When is it NOT busy?! Apparently, busy is our new norm. I don’t like that, though. It will get better when my mother is discharged from the hospital. I think!
Anyway, we had a mix of homemade and convenience foods this week. My daughter and I tag teamed on Sausage Pasta Skillet one night. This is a family favorite.
Another night, we had frozen lasagna and garlic bread knots from the bread department. I much prefer homemade lasagna, but it is time consuming. With all the bad food in the freezer section these days, lasagna is not a bad choice.
One day while I was out, my daughter called and asked me to pick up brownie mix and ice cream on the way home. So I did. Even though I prefer homemade brownies.
We had the brownies with ice cream for a snack that night. My daughter had 2 friends over, so it was a big hit with family and friends.
This week, I have all homemade meals on the menu (Monday thru Friday). Except for the meatballs. They are from the freezer section.
I guess time will tell if I can actually pull it off! lol
In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu
Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?
Saturday – quick & easy- Pizza
Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Sandwiches for lunch, get your own for supper – I had salad and a chicken strip
Monday – chicken or turkey – Lemon Pepper Chicken, rice, broccoli
Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Spaghetti & meatballs, peas, salad
Wednesday – Taco Night- Venison tacos with all the fixin’s
Thursday – pork or beef – Skillet Sausage Pasta, green beans
Friday – venison – Old Fashioned Venison Steaks with Pan Gravy, mashed potatoes, corn
For more ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday
The Sandwich Generation – Revisited
*This post contains affiliate links
About a year and a half ago, I wrote about being in the Sandwich Generation. In case you’ve never heard that term, it’s when you are caring for your children and your parents at the same time.
Now, we find ourselves in the middle of this again. Another one of our parents has been sick and in the hospital. It’s still up in the air about what is going to happen when they are finally discharged. Going to a nursing home? Going to their home? Coming to my home?
So I am re-reading my posts on being in the Sandwich Generation. Because even though we’ve been through this before, I need reminders, too!
I need to remind myself that I am doing ok. Even if I feel guilty for not being available to everyone all the time. I need to remind myself that it’s ok not be able to be everything to everybody. I need to remind myself that there is no need to feel guilty when I am doing everything humanly possible. And you don’t have to feel guilty, either!
To read more about my journey through the Sandwich Generation, read these posts.
The Sandwich Generation – Making Decisions
The Sandwich Generation – When Is It Too Much?
If your parent, or other loved one is in the hospital, here are my 5 Tips for Staying in the Hospital with a Loved One.
Here are a few books that you might find helpful.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click the links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu
I was able to fit in a little more cooking last week. And I even tried a new recipe! That I forgot to take a picture of! That annoys me. I am often so immersed in eating dinner with my family that I forget to take pictures. That’s a win for the family. I just wish I would remember to take a picture before we start eating.
I did remember to take pictures of the venison roast I made in the slow cooker.
Believe it or not, I had some left over. So the next night, I cut up the meat, put it back in the gravy, and served it over mashed potatoes. There were some carrots left, so I served them with gravy, too. I served it with corn, too. Serving leftovers over mashed potatoes, or some kind of pasta or rice, is an easy way to stretch leftovers into another meal.
And my family will pretty much eat any thing served over mashed potatoes. lol
I went to a college open house with my daughter and we stopped for cake afterwards. She ordered plain cheesecake. I ordered this 7 layer chocolate cake. It was huge! I, a admitted chocoholic, could not finish it! The slice was at least 4 inches wide. Huge! But oh, so good!
I have another new recipe on the menu this week. A pan fried venison steak with pan gravy from a venison cookbook that I have. I think the family will like it. If not, it’s a good thing I’m serving it with mashed potatoes! lol
In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu
Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?
Saturday – quick & easy- Dinner out
Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Fish fillets with homemade tartar sauce, french fries, sugar snap peas
Monday – chicken or turkey – Chicken strips, macaroni & cheese, stir fry vegetables
Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Spaghetti & meatballs, peas, salad
Wednesday – Taco Night- Venison roast with potatoes, onions, carrots
Thursday – pork or beef – Skillet Sausage Pasta, green beans
Friday – venison – Old Fashioned Venison Steaks with Pan Gravy, mashed potatoes, corn
For more ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday
