Grace Academy: Who Am I? And What Am I Doing Here? ~ TOS Crew

From the site: “Our children are bombarded on a daily basis with competing messages. Every song, movie, book, TV show, blog, and game is full of ideas—ideas about truth, morality, beauty, identity, faith, and more. Not all of these ideas are true. Some are wrong, some are deceptive, and some are outright destructive. It is more important than ever that young children be equipped to discern among competing ideas and stand in the truth. This is why Apologia has teamed with Summit Ministries to bring you the "What We Believe" Series. The "What We Believe" Series is an outstanding way to teach your child the essential beliefs of the Christian faith, but it’s so much more! With this student-directed, Bible-based curriculum, your children will learn how to use Scripture as a lens through which to view the world around them—to see everything the way God sees it—and know the truth.”
Anyone who knows me know I LOVE Apologia! I have yet to use any of their products I haven’t completely loved. So, I was super excited when I was chosen to review book two; Who Am I? (And What Am I Doing Here?) For review purposes my family and I received the Text, Notebooking Journal, Audio CD, and Coloring Book.

What is Who Am I?

Who Am I? (And What Am I Doing Here?) is the second book in the four book series, “helps children understand what it means to be fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of the Most High God. This study will enable students to develop a healthy self-image based on these biblical truths: God made me in His image and crowned me with glory; He has given me special gifts and a unique purpose in life; I can creatively express God's love; I am meant to think about beautiful and praiseworthy things, especially God and His Word; I must make decisions based on God's truth; I can always know the wise thing to do; I must cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in my life; I am a beloved child of God whose true identity is found in Christ.”

This is a wonderful bible curriculum for the entire family; geared toward children ages six to fourteen. It is written directly to the student in a conversational tone, making it is easy and relaxing to openly discuss the presented material.

The scripture is taken mainly from the New International Version (NIV). However, the New Living Translation (NLT) and the New Century Version (NCV) are also used. Apologia recommends you use whichever translation best suits your family.

Who Am I? text ~ $39

Sample Lesson

The text covers such things as ~

Lesson 1: What Are We Doing Here?
Lesson 2: What Will You Make Today?
Lesson 3: What’s On Your Mind?
Lesson 4: Can You Trust Your Feelings?
Lesson 5: Will You Choose Wisely?
Lesson 6: How Will You Run The Race?
Lesson 7: What Kind Of Fruit Are You Growing?
Lesson 8: Who Do You Think You Are?

Each lesson covers multiple key components.

The Big Idea: introductions and overview of the lesson
What You Will Do: learning objectives
Short Story: short story showing what a worldview looks like in action
Think About It: thought provoking questions to help you and your family dig a little deeper
Words You Need To Know: important vocabulary words
Hide It In Your Heart: verse memorization and/or copy work
Integrated Learning: interesting articles with topics relating to the main text
What Should I do?: Highlights a specific godly character trait
Prayer: enables your child to recognize the gifts of God and thank him for all he has done
Worldviews in Focus: part of an ongoing study introducing the child to the notion of different worldviews
What’s the Difference?: discussion questions allowing the child to compare and contrast their own worldview with one portrayed in the story
House of Truth: four of the lessons end with a new part of the House of Truth. It is meant to be a visual model constructed on step at a time ~ the foundation, walls, and roof of a house are constructed, giving the child a concrete way of thinking about his life within the kingdom of god

Notebooking Journal ~ $24

Sample

The Notebooking Journal allows the child to draw and write out the Think About It, Words To Know, Hide It In Your Heart, Word Puzzles, and more; keeping everything organized and neatly grouped together.

Audio CD ~ $19

Sample

The audio CD can be helpful to listen to and follow along in the book on those days when you just don’t feel like reading aloud, need to save your voice, or for your children to listen and follow along on their own. We enjoyed the idea of having the audio CD; however, we weren’t impressed with the “robotic voice” of the story teller. My daughters found it to be a bit annoying. Oh, I almost forgot, the audio CD is in MP3 format. I played it in my computer. When I insert the disk into my computer an image of an iPod appears playing the audio. Via the “iPod” I can only select a lesson, stop and pause. It took me some time, but once I figured out how to open and play the audio in Media Player (I still haven't figure out how to play it in iTunes), then I was able to more clearly choose a lesson, stop, pause, and fast forward and rewind within a lesson.

Coloring Book ~ $8

Sample

Although my girls are older they enjoyed the coloring book. You’re never too old to enjoy a good coloring book.

Back in March of 2011 I had the opportunity of reviewing book one in the What We Believe series; Who Is God? (And Can I Really Know Him?)

If you would like to purchase this for your family or as a gift from someone else, you may do so HERE.

Be sure to stop by the TOS hub and read what my fellow crewmates had to say about Who Am I?.