Resource Reviews

WordXpress: A High-Speed Vocabulary Builder
by Shirley Minster, MS.Ed.

I have been working with students for over thirty years. When I reflect on changes in education, one area that has gone downhill is the use of a strong, expressive vocabulary both orally and in writing. There are so many rich words, a plethora of them actually, that the process of writing should be enjoyable when one is expressing oneself. However, most students write an essay, poem, or research paper using lower level word, not recognizing that word choice is important and satisfying. Imagine having a computer program that encourages writers to raise their level of vocabulary and to do it in an efficient manner.

WordXpress is just such a program. It was originally written to help songwriters in their search for just the right lyrics. Now it is available online at a very reasonable price. The developers are passionate in their vision to “encourage students to express themselves more eloquently in their writing and speech”.

I have been recommending WordXpress to my students and their parents
all year because it is a dynamic program that helps to improve composition skills. Even my most reluctant writers can work their way around the program and they become proud of their work.

There are so many word categories and sub-categories and thousands of words from which to choose: Word Families, Synonyms, Phrases, Rhymes, Definition, Alliterations, The World, Products, The Famous, Food & Drink, and The Bible. Each of these has sub-categories such as Parts of Speech, Primary and Extended Words, Intensity of Word, Alternative Pronunciation, Pop-Culture Rhymes, Rhyming Phrases, Perfect Rhymes, Wider Rhymes, Widest Rhymes, Alliterations from A to Z, Newsmakers, Geographical Features, Countries, Cars, Movies, Musicians, Soft Drinks, Holidays,and individual Books of the Bible. Another great feature is that there are choices in how many syllables in the word that a person wants to use. They can choose from one to seven or more syllables. This feature demonstrates to the student that he has choices in the words he uses. He begins to see that his writing skills are becoming stronger and he becomes more confident when writing.
For the student who detests taking the time to flip pages and read through long lists of words to find the exact word she wants, this program is a plus. The student becomes a master of her paper rather than the other way ‘round. If you have a student with a language- based learning disability, using WordXpress will help because it lists thousands of words. This is exceptionally helpful when recall of words is low. The student with weak memory skills no longer needs to feel inadequate because the words are available.

The user-friendly WordXpress is regularly updated so present-day words and phrases are available. As of the writing of this review, the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, and the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Thesaurus are used. I have just learned that Synonym Finder has been added and that they have it exclusively. It is the only electronic version available.

WordXpress is a dynamic multi-generational program that is sure to please reluctant writers. It is also strong enough for gifted and highly gifted students who need to use the exact word to describe what they are thinking. Adults in college or the work force will find a use for WordXpress, too.
Before you buy, take the time to tour the tutorial online. It demonstrates all the facets of this program. Reasonable price and a workhorse educational program for the whole family - WordXpress does it all!
For more information: http://www.wordxpress.com

A Child’s Geography
Reviewed by Suzanne Sniffen

This book is titled A Child's Geography.  The title is a bit misleading. One typically thinks of continents, locations, topography, and maps when you think of geography--or at least I do.  This is not what volume 1 is about.  Instead, Volume 1 is essentially a study of earth science.  Some of the topics covered are the lower and upper atmospheres, the continents and oceans, the structure of the earth, latitude and longitude, and earthquakes and volcanoes.  Typically, all of these fall under the study of earth science.  

What makes this curriculum different are two particular aspects of how Ms. Voskamp writes about this subject.  
1) She endeavors to inspire a wonder of God's creation in students.  Frequently, scripture is cited and God is given frequent credit for his creation.  
2) She is not disparaging of others who do not recognize that this world we live in is God's creation.  I think it is wise to speak the truth in love, but we do not need to be disparaging.  

The book is made up of 11 lessons.  These lessons could be done once or twice a week.  They are similar to unit studies, but I wouldn't divide them up over more than 2 days.  In each lesson, there is a portion to read with your children.  Then, there are a few short comprehension questions.  After the lesson, students are asked to write a post card to someone about what they learned.  There are templates for post cards on the CD-ROM enclosed with the book.  You could mail the post cards or collect them in a notebook.  Then, there is a section titled Reaching Out to His World which is intended to prompt students to think about the needs of other people.  A list of possible books you can read for further resources follows.  For each lesson, a field trip idea or other exploration and learning craft are also included.

As I read through this book, I was very impressed.  I look forward to using this curriculum with my children.  It lends itself to working well with multiple elementary age children.  I think this curriculum would best be suited to grades 1-6.  I loved how she spoke about the Lord and creation.  I have been looking for a book like this that would help me explain that God has created everything and how marvelous that is!  The sections on reaching out to the world will open up great opportunities to help my children become more aware of the struggles and suffering of others.  I read through each craft and thought they were all feasible, made with inexpensive ingredients, not too labor intensive, and would be genuinely fun.  

The only suggestion I have is in regard to supplemental resources I'd recommend.  Definitely, you'll want to have a globe.  There may also be concepts in this book that are difficult for students to understand the first time around.  Beakman's World is an old show that you can watch instantly on Netflix.  Several of the episodes are on concepts in this book.  Veritas Press publishes a book and workbook (sold separately) titled Legends and Leagues.    This book and some of the workbook could be tacked onto the end of this curriculum.  It is helpful that each lesson has suggested reading resources.  You may find that these resources help make up for the lack of pictures in this book. The pictures in A Child's Geography are small and there aren't as many as I have typically found in science books at the library.  

I love the content of this book.  It is well written.  I do wish there were more pictures, but that can be supplemented.  
You can see a preview of the book here on this website:  http://www.achildsgeography.com/
Encouragement for Parents of Strong Willed Children

Journey of a Strong Willed Child by Kendra Smiley

Reviewed by Suzanne Sniffen

Last week, a book arrived in the mail that I immediately opened.  It was titled the Journey of a Strong Willed Child by Kendra Smiley with Dr. Aaron Smiley (her son) and John Smiley (the resident Dad).  I had been looking forward to the arrival of this book. I was not disappointed!  In fact, I was so blessed by this book!

In the introduction, Ms. Smiley stated all of the things that I have come to believe about strong willed children (and adults).  These things include the reality that strong willed children do not want to be controlled by others.  This chapter didn't include anything I hadn't heard or read before, but her tone is hopeful--something that all parents of strong willed children need to be and that we often struggle to be!  After the introduction, the book is basically broken down into age groups (0 to 5, elementary, junior high, and then high school).  As I began the second chapter about children 0 to 5, I read her description strong willed children.  Basically, if you give a strong willed child a line, tell them not to cross it, and explain the consequences if they do (and they know you will follow through), then they will cross that line many times after reviewing the consequences.  At the end of the chapter is a note from Aaron, her son, and her husband.  Both perspectives are eye opening!  Aaron makes some very insightful observations, as does John.  Dads will especially enjoy these notes, I think.

There is an old proverb that it is better to teach a person how to fish so that they might eat for a lifetime, rather than giving them a fish that will only feed them for one meal.  In What I began to see in this book as I read through the second chapter is that this book is a framework for how to parent strong willed children, but it is not a formula.  It is not going to give you a quick fix.  It will help you see your child, or in my case children, more accurately.  It will help you realize that your child is not targeting you, but rather testing you.  Testing you over and over and over....  I have heard this in my daughter's voice.  She knows that she causes her dad and me pain over her refusal to eat dinner and she doesn't relish it, but she often doesn't want to (and won't) eat what's put before her either. I think she is testing me and my husband. She wants control over what she eats and when she eats it.  We are pretty structured about meals and I generally make very kid friendly meals, but they aren't her choice--so she's not in control of choosing what's going to be on her plate.

I felt that as I read this book that the train of my mind was put back on track.  There are things that I've believed, but had begun to doubt. I didn't believe that my daughter was targeting me with her behavior, but when I would get upset I had begun to take things personally.  Maybe you're in that place, too. When we remind ourselves that they are testing us, we are able to more easily not take their actions personally and be unemotional about disciplining our children.  It's not about us. It's about them.  Parenting strong willed children is a 24/7 job. They are high maintenance and once we realize they always will be, we can gear up and not expect things to be easier!  As Ms. Smiley says in one of the chapters, it is not a sprint, but a marathon.

I can't even begin to explain all of the pieces that this book has helped me put together, but I'll try by applying them to my situation...
1) My daughter and son need me to discipline them. Discipline is not the opposite of love.  They need me not to be swayed by their cries for sympathy (I get caught by this with my son.)
2) My daughter and son need me to NOT discipline in anger. I need to remember that no one is the perfect parent and how my children act is not about "me".  It is about "them".  I need to love them well and help them learn to develop self control.
3) I need to be aware of the example my actions set for the other strong willed child when I discipline one.
4) Parenting my children is not a job I can check in and out of.  It is a 24/7 job.  I need to gear up and not expect it to be easy!
5) The reason for my desire for my children would learn to obey me is 1) that they might learn to choose God over their rebellious spirits (I was an adult before I realized this).  I also want them to obey so that it might be easier for them to choose to obey God. I want my children to love the Lord and walk with Him. It is not a guarantee that they will, but if they learn to submit to my husband and I as their parents, they will also hopefully find it easier to follow directions from other adults.
6) I need to show my children every day that I love them every day and that it is not a burden to parent them.
7) I need to help my children rethink how they see things.  In the past week, this has dramatically changed what I say to my daughter and son.  Instead of simply saying "No." or telling them what to do, I have begun to give a reason--not because I have to explain or justify my actions, but because they need to learn how to understand what's going on.  They still have to do what I've instructed them to do.  
8)  Strong willed Children are black and white and are goal oriented.  I need to set goals for my children in what they do and I need to have my own goals for them which I develop by watching and observing who they are and what they love.

I have said "I" in all of these sentences and I am not in this alone.  My husband is in this parenting boat with me, but he's been very busy this week and we will discuss all of this when his work slows down.  Because my husband isn't able to tackle all of this with me right now, he and my children need me to step up to the plate and do it!  I've heard moms say before "I just can't do it--I don't have any support."  You may not have support right now because your husband has checked out, is deployed, travels frequently, works long hours, or is struggling.  Whatever the reason--I don't know that it matters.  Your children need you just as mine need me.  My husband loves me and I know this and he will get in this boat with me when this time for him has passed.  Of this, I am certain.  But, until then, I need to put all of these things I've learned into action.  My family needs me to.  I had no idea when I began reading this book, what a deep drink of water it would be for me.  

1) In the 0 to 5 chapter, Ms. Smiley does recommend spanking as one of the ways to discipline young children, but she doesn't not say it is a requirement or that you must do this.  I know some books take that stand and she does not.  Even if you do not believe in spanking children or spank your children, I would encourage you to read this book.  That is only one small part of one chapter in this book.

2) This book is for parents who desire their children to learn to obey them and develop self discipline.  The desire for them to obey us as parents is rooted in many reasons:  keeping our children safe from danger, so that they might "respect others and their property", develop self discipline, and so that they might be "more likely to choose to obey God" (from pg. 61-62).  Self discipline and self control is very difficult for strong willed children.

I am thankful that the Smileys wrote this book.  I am thankful that I am growing in my parenting.  I am thankful that my heart and mind no longer feel exhausted and discouraged by my two strong willed children!  But, most of all, I am thankful for the Lord's gracious mercy to me amidst all of my struggles and strong willed nature.  Tears fell from my eyes the other morning when I finished reading this book, because I was reminded that the Lord loves me and that He knew just what I needed to hear this week.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Moody Publishing

Reviewer Suzanne Sniffen is a homeschooling mom of three who regularly blogs and reviews books. After teaching students ages 5-60, she and her husband decided that she would stay home and homeschool their children.

Suzanne began blogging about life on her blog, LoveToPaint. She prayed that God would help her to enjoy painting, an activity she needed to do, and He did grow in her a thankful heart that enjoys painting (walls). For the past several years, she has been reviewing books by many publishers and authors on her blogs. She has now reviewed almost 200 books. Her desire is to find and recommend books that are well written, edifying, affordable, gracious, and worth reading.
Please visit her and read more of her book reviews and helpful articles on homeschooling, mothering and family life.

http://makingthingsstretch.blogspot.com
http://lovetopaint.blogspot.com