And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
They all sounded good so I took a vote. The History of the Oregon Trail & The Pony Express won! The kids all seemed to have an interest in learning about the Pony Express. This year we are focusing on early American history so I knew this video would fit perfectly into our studies.
We enjoyed watching The History of the Oregon Trail portion of the video, which was about 35 minutes long. It really explained the reasons why so many people risked their lives to take the 2,000 mile trip across the country on the Oregon Trail. Seeing the trail, covered wagons and illustrations were very helpful in visualizing what it was really like to take this massive journey. We learned a little about steam boats, the prairie, and wagon trains. We also learned about the beautiful landscape that they encountered on their journey.
Our favorite part of the video was the part about The Pony Express, which is about 16 minutes long. It was neat to see how the Pony Express started, how it worked and how it paved the way for US Postal Service. The boys, of course, liked watching the cowboys race across the prairie to deliver the mail. Until watching this video I did not realize that The Pony Express was an independently run company, I always thought it was run by the government. Nor did I know that it lasted such a short time and went bankrupt! I really loved hearing the oath that the Pony Express riders took!
Lots and lots of interesting information on this video. The History of Oregon Trail & The Pony would be a great addition to any early American History study. This video would be most helpful for audio and visual learners.
This week for the Schoolhouse Saturday Swag they are doing a giveaway for an awesome Language Arts Bundle, valued at nearly $200! This bundle contains Write Shop Primary A and B Teacher’s Guides and Activity Worksheet Packs, and Scott Foresman Reading Street Homeschool Package for grade 4.
Learning another language is something that I have always wished I had done when I was younger. So when I think of things that I would like for my children to learn, another language is definitely on the list.
We were recently given the chance to review the very popular Spanish program Speekee. The review included 10 full episodes of Speekee TV, which is over 150 minutes of Spanish learning.
The method of learning Spanish with Speekee TV is really quite simple, watch and learn. Children love to watch Speekee because of the fun songs, animation, and puppets. They enjoy watching and learning from other children that are featured in the videos. As children watch the Speekee videos over and over, they really begin to pick up the Spanish language.
In addition to the Speekee TV episodes we were also given a weekly Fast Track email. The Fast Track email helps to maximize learning with an easy to follow 40 week plan with activities and worksheets that go along with the different episodes. The Fast Track gave us many different ideas to help the children further learn with Speekee. For instance after watching the video 'El parque' we were instructed to count in Spanish together, role play and do short quiz from what we had learned so far. I think that the Fast Track plan is a wonderful part of the program, it makes Speekee much more than just a video.
I thought that the videos were pretty good as well. As a non Spanish speaking person, I found it very helpful that the words were always at the bottom. As, I watched the videos with my younger children I could explain what the different words were.
We all liked the different videos, the kids and of course Speekee and Lupi! The variety of the videos were very good. Each video takes place some where different like at a cafe, the zoo, the beach, at a party, and so on.
Speekee is geared for children ages 2-10 years of age. All of my children liked Speekee, but they were not into it as much as my youngest, who is 4. He LOVES Speekee and loves to sing the intro song - over and over and over and over! Which is a wonderful thing!
I like that Speekee can be watched and learned at one's own pace. Watching the videos and adding in a few activities here and there is the kind of relaxed pace we enjoy.
I would recommend Speekee for anyone with younger children that they want to introduce Spanish to. Speekee is a fun and engaging way to learn Spanish!
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
The kids and I are starting to study hymns this year using the book Then Sings My Soul. I have been waiting a loooonnnggg time to get into this book! I love to read about how the Lord led people to write these beautiful hymns for His glory!
For the next 2 weeks we are going to be learning Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. You can listen to it here.
