Review: Mr. Pipes and the British Hymn Makers

Mr. Pipes and the British Hymn Makers – PDF

Author:  Douglas Bond
Publisher: Christian Liberty Press
Web Site:  http://www.shopchristianliberty.com/mr-pipes-and-the-british-hymn-makers-pdf/
Grade:  7^th-10^th

Cost:  $8.79

Mr. Pipes and the British Hymn Makers is the first book in a series written by Douglas Bond.  According to the preface, the purpose for writing these books is as follows:

“Many Christians at the opening of the twenty-first century, including young believers, have never understood the importance of approaching God with awesome reference and majestic praise.  As readers move through Mr. Pipes and the British Hymn Makers, however, they will not only learn about the fascinating lives of famous hymn writers but will also be encouraged to cultivate an attitude of humble adoration as they approach their Maker.”

I don’t know that I fully agree with his assessment that young believers don’t understand reverence; however, I do know that many youth have not grown up with the hymns that are a large part of traditional worship.  Nowadays, contemporary worship seems to appeal more to the younger crowd.  I woulnd’t call it irreverent, but I would say that we are losing some connection with the history that represents many of the hymn writers.

The book itself is well written.  Personally, I would lower the age range from 7^th to 10^th grade to more around 5^th to 8^th grade.  The book format reminds me a bit of the Tree House series in the sense that two children are the focus and have adventures.  However, these “adventures” are quite different from other series.  Instead of fantastical journeys, they spend time with Mr. Pipes learning to fish or sail or visiting London.  During their down time, Mr. Pipes tells them stories about hymn makers of the past and encourages them to sing with him.  The premise is endearing.

What I really liked about this approach is that the reader is really getting a history lesson under the guise of a fictional story.  As Mr. Pipes weaves the tale about the hymn maker(s), he also helps the children understand the foundations of their faith and the importance of worship.  Additionally, I found the artists renderings throughout the book to have that old world feel that fits with the location and the study of historical hymn writers.

Having a male and a female teen as main characters, this story can appeal to both males and females.   I was a little uncomfortable with the children roaming around an unfamiliar town alone and making friends with strangers; however, the age range indicated for the book would ensure the children understand this is fiction and not safe in the “real world”.  Younger students might need this reminder.

I find this to be a fun read that would be an excellent supplement to a course on music, hymns or even worship.  To see the first thirty pages – click here.

If you would like to read additional reviews by members of the TOS Schoolhouse Review Crew – click here.

Disclaimer:  I received a PDF of this book free at a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Apologia's I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist

I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist
Book and Workbook Review

Age:  High School

Cost:  Workbook - $33.00  Text – $16.00 or via Amazon

Web Site:  https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=12

When I was asked to review the I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist curriculum through Apologia, I thought it would be an interesting addition to our schooling.  Both my boys seek logic as a way to explain their faith to others.  What I didn’t realize is that it uses the book written by Norman Giesler and Frank Turek of the same name.  (I know – duh! )

I have tremendous respect for Geisler; however, I have already assisted in a year-long high school course involving his twelve step approach to apologetics and found it to be confusing at times and not very engaging for teenagers. 

Geisler and Turek use logic to show how other ideals/philosophies/religions are illogical while attempting to show the logic in Christianity.  I love logic; in fact, I consider myself a skeptic who thrives on empirical evidence.  However, the approach taken here is not easy for a teen to follow.  For example, in the first chapter, two philosophers, Hume and Kant, are refuted.  I appreciate the refutation, but since Hume and Kant aren’t readily familiar to the typical teenager, these two selections seem arbitrary in a pool of possible targets.  Additionally, in chapter two, the reader runs into terms like the Cosmological Argument, the Teleological Argument and the Anthropic Principle.  I find these approaches very interesting, but a typical teenager feels in over his head.  You can view the introduction to the book – here.

At times, the book seems to get bogged down in trying to explain their principles and criticize other planes of thought to the point that the actual goal of proving Christianity can temporarily get lost in the dialogue.  They do pull it back in, but it takes a lot of mental sorting to keep track of what is being discussed.

Enter the supplementary curriculum provided by Apologia.  I’ve always enjoyed Apologia – they do an excellent job of dealing with tough subjects and providing students with the necessary tools to help them develop an understanding of the concepts.  I feel they've done a good job with this book as well. 

The accompanying workbook is setup chapter by chapter to coincide with the Geisler/Turek book as seen in the Table of Contents.   Each chapter of the workbook includes a Hook, Book, Look and Took section.  Here’s the description from the text:

Hook – This section will remind you what the textbook chapter talked about and often includes a few questions to warm up your brain.

Book – This section takes you deeper into the specific issues covered in each chapter, unpacking the topics and testing your knowledge and comprehension with questions from the textbook.

Look – Don’t just take the authors’ word for it.  Check out the information presented in the book for yourself.  This section helps you build no your new found knowledge with research assignments and other suggested activities.

Took – This section summarizes the material and helps you apply the concepts you’ve studied to your life and witness for Jesus Christ.

I really like this approach.  Throughout the workbook, students are able to better understand the content provided in each chapter and to determine what it means to them.  They are able to research the information and form their opinions based on depth, not just on the content of one text.  Additionally, they are given time to digest each chapter before moving forward. 

Some of the other aspects I liked about the workbook not illustrated above are the vocabulary and the spotlights on people mentioned in the book.  People like Hume and Kant, Carl Sagan, Richard Dawkins, Hitler, etc.  These spotlights help students consider the context in which these people are being discussed and give them a better understanding of who they were. 

I feel the workbook is essential to understanding the book.  I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist by itself is difficult for educated adults to traverse let alone high school students.  However, with the help of a parent and the workbook, I do feel they help build a foundational and logical understanding of how to defend the faith. 

For Homeschooling Parents:  answers to the workbook can be found on the book extras section of the Apologia web site using a password provided when you purchase the text.  Additionally, chapter tests are included free to help you assess your student’s understanding.

To see reviews by other Schoolhouse Review Crew members – click here.

***  Disclaimer:  I received the book and curriculum free of charge as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest opinion.

Trying Out 5-Hour Energy

I received two bottles of 5-Hour Energy as part of a Smiley campaign.  Anything that can give me a little energy is worth a try in my book.  Well, almost anything… 

Anyhoo – I hadn’t tried it before because I don’t like liquids.  Anything medicinal I avoid like the plague, and I was pretty sure this stuff was gonna taste nasty. 

They sent me Pomegranate and Berry flavors.   I’m a sucker for pomegranate, so – bottoms up.  Yep, Yuck!!!  It tasted a little like pomegranate followed by this bitter saccharine taste and then a salty afterglow.  Actually made my tummy do a flip flop.  This had better work!

You know what – it did!  I was really pleasantly surprised.  I needed to go run and had zero energy to do it.  I’d been up way too early and worked way to hard already.  Fifteen minutes after drinking it, I headed to the gym.  I did my run, made it home to change and took in a play with the family that night.  A little over five hours later I was feeling tired, but not before that.  Wow! 

So, I tried Berry next.  Better flavor, same result.  Yay!

You can view the 5-Hour energy site where its contents are described.  They claim to have had the product evaluated by primary care physicians, of which, 73% would recommend 5-Hour Energy to healthy patients.   I'd feel better if that was a higher number, but that's just me. 

I have to say, choking it down isn’t any fun, but having energy for five hours is a real bonus in my book. I want to do more research before I feel comfortable using 5-Hour Energy long term, but, I can honestly say, if I need a boost, I know where I can get it.

Have you used 5-Hour Energy?  Does it work for you?  What other things have you tried for energy besides caffeinated drinks?

*** I received two bottles free of charge at a member of Smiley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Beach Beauty

Wordless Wednesday - First Fondue

Melted cheese, tender meats and white/dark chocolate dipped marshmellows, pound cake and brownie.  A little heaven on earth!  A yummy first fondue experience for my boys!

Good Morning, Beach!

Review - King Alfred's English

King Alfred's English

A History of the Language We Speak And Why We Should Be Glad We Do

Web Site: http://www.theshorterword.com/king-alfreds-english/

Age: Middle/High School

Cost:  Available on Amazon from $11.51 New or $5.95 Kindle edition

Much like the author, Laurie J. White, I loved the History of the English Language course I took in college.  It was fascinating to trace the roots of the language from its beginnings to where it is today.  I kept my book and have referred to it from time to time; however, it’s a bit dry and a hard read for my kids. 

Getting to review King Alfred’s English was exciting for me.  The author has written the history in a language that is not only enjoyable to read by adults, but is a much easier read for upper middle and high school students that the old college text.

Laurie does and excellent job of tracing the origins of the language from Briton through the invasions of the Latin, Norse, French, Greek and Latin dialects.  Her text focuses heavily on the impact of the Bible on language and the impact of language on translations of the Bible.  A truly fascinating read!

Each chapter helps illuminate words that have become part of the melting pot language that is English.   Additionally, focus on the status of English from once in danger of being exterminated, to a language of the lowly and finally to the most commonly used language in the world is traced.  Contributions of the likes of Wycliffe, Tyndale, King James and Shakespeare provide an engaging backdrop for how the language was proliferated through the Bible, the printing press, and even literature. 

I’m excited to have this text.  My vision is to make this a course that can be taught at our local co-op in the next year.  The author notes it can be taught using materials provided on her website for either 1/2 of a history credit or a combined 1/4 history, 1/4 English credit.

Which leads me to her free resources to help with teaching!  Her web site, www.theshorterword.com, contains resources for both students and teachers.  Student resources include “images, articles, videos, primary sources, and literature related to each chapter.”  Teacher resources include “worksheets, tests and more” that can be used along with the student resources to easily create a strong course.  The only thing I do wish was that the answers to teacher resources weren’t available right on the site – they are too easily accessed by students.  Perhaps password protecting or requiring a teacher email would be better.  

The cost of the book, especially the e-book, makes this text very accessible to all students.  In addition to Amazon, King Alfred's English can be found at the following: CBD, RAINBOW RESOURCE, Grace and Truth Books.

I know I was excited to once again delve into the English language.  I believe students will be equally motivated to see how the language has been shaped by various cultures and the role Christianity has played in the formation of spoken and written English.

I highly recommend this book! Want to check it out for yourself?  You can read the first chapter - here.

To see reviews by other members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew – click here.

*** Disclaimer:  I received this book free of charge as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review.