Teach Through March Book Stack
A stack of books to help you teach through the month of March. I find this such a fun way to learn something new. World Water Day From Brook to Ocean Water Dance Down Comes the Rain Celebrate Spring Karl, Get Out of the Garden The Reasons for the Seasons How Does a Seed Sprout Palm Sunday A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories The Jesus Storybook Bible World Poetry Day The Llama Who Had No Pajama A Child’s Book of Poems The Selected Poems of Wendel Berry Saint Patrick’s Day Patrick St. Patrick’s Day by Adrianne Curwen Adrianne is a wife to a public-school educator/administrator and a homeschooling Mama to seven children, ranging in age from 7 to 23. She believes that we have a unique opportunity as homeschoolers to design individualized education that suits giftings, interests, and passions. She and her husband have used a blend of registered homeschooling, enrolment with independent DL schools, and participation in public trade school programs to design individualized programs for their children. She is passionate about using as many read-alouds, picture books, novels, and conversations to educate her children but also gets excited by the amazing homeschool-designed curriculum that’s out there. Adrianne is thrilled by her new role as Communication Specialist for Classical Education Books and is grateful to have an opportunity to learn something new. She is grateful, every day, for her saviour, Jesus Christ, and has no greater joy than when she sees her most important missions field walk with Him.
Curriculum Spotlight – Zeezok Music
The Zeezok Music Appreciation program comes in many pieces and the program is so versatile. My favorite thing about this program are the books about the composers. These books, by Opal Wheeler, are living books at their best. Each story is captivating and some of them include short pieces of music that a young aspiring musician can try to play on a keyboard or piano. With details about their character and life, these are read-alouds that are the perfect addition to your morning basket. They are about a grade 3 reading level so they can also be used for independent reading. But you don’t need to just read the books and plink out the tunes on your own. You can also purchase a thumb drive that contains all the music referred to in each book. And if that wasn’t enough, you can purchase a Student Activity Book, a Coloring book, and another thumb drive with files to create a lapbook. The question is, how much is too much? Well, how much time do you want to spend studying music? I have been teaching through the Student Activity Book One. It contains about 4 lessons for each reader. The lessons repeat their content for each reader, so you know what to expect. Each set of lessons starts with comprehension questions, a lesson that points out good character traits shown by the composer, and some activities like mapping the composer’s travels, or recipes to make food from their time and culture. It spends time talking about music theory and music styles because there is a difference between classical and baroque music. It introduces the instruments of the orchestra as well as how different kinds of orchestras are arranged. The Student Activity book is quite an in-depth study of music, not just composers. It’s not exactly a living text, but it is hands-on, and it often refers to the files on the thumb drive for the Lapbook activities. There are two Activity books, Book 1 covers Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, Mozart, Paganini, and Handel. You can purchase the complete study here. Book 2 covers Chopin, Schumann, Wagner, Foster, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and MacDowell. Quick Facts: Living books about composers for any age. Add the music thumb drive to play the music referred to in the books. Make it a full-year study of composers, music styles, and orchestra by adding in the Student Activity and Lapbook. Book 1 is for Grades 2-4. Book 2 is for Grades 5-7. The Activity books are flexible in that you can choose to skip a certain aspect of study and not miss out on the rest of the course. (i.e. the character study is a bit long and boring and irrelevant). by Hester VanBraeden Hester is a second-generation home-educating parent who is keenly aware that her own education is not complete, and comfortable that it probably never will be. She has many years of experience with children, books, and curriculum. She loves to travel to worlds and times beyond the present with her children through many books. Hester and her husband have four children and live in the lower mainland of BC.
Teen Dystopia Book Stack
Brave New World Starship Troopers 1984 Fahrenheit 451 Animal Farm Out of the Silent Planet
Bill Peet Book Stack
Many of these book covers take me back to my childhood. I always looked for Bill Peet books in my school library to sign out. Kermit the Hermit The Wump World Hubert’s Hair-Raising Adventure Farewell to Shady Glade Chester the Worldly Pig The Ant and the Elephant Buford the Little Bighorn The Gnats of Knotty Pine Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent Big Bad Bruce Smokey Huge Harold Jennifer and Josephine Cowardly Clyde How Droofus the Dragon Lost His Head Eli Ella Capyboppy The Spooky Tail of Prewitt Peacock The Caboose Who Got Loose The Whingdingdilly Go beyond reading these great picture books to your children and introduce them to the author. Bill Peet An Autobiography
Love Your Husbands & Children
It’s February so I’ve been spending time reflecting on love, specifically, what it means to love my husband and children. “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” Titus 2:3-5 Here’s what I know for sure. If we need to be trained, the standard must not come naturally. Loving our husbands and children is an imperative, a command, an obligation. It’s compulsory! That last phrase, “that the word of God may not be reviled”, is an enormous consequence. It leaves me feeling like I have work to do. A little bit of background The Greeks had several different words that we would translate to the English word, love. The scripture being studied here focuses on the Greek word, “philios”. It is the love for a friend; someone dearly loved in a personal way. It is experience/action-based love. It’s the same love that Jesus calls us to in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” At first, it struck me as strange that the same word used to describe love for a friend would be used to instruct wives and mothers on how to love their husbands and children. Surely, the love for one’s own husband and children is in a whole other category; at a whole other level. The love for a friend seems a bit general. I don’t always love what is revealed as I ponder these things, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that I have lacked understanding and my actions reflect it. I started to think about the love I show to my friends and the love I show to my husband and children and I noticed a few things. I handle offenses differently If I’m honest, I overlook offenses much more easily when it comes to my friends. Oh sure, it’s easy to justify these differences. Living day to day with hurts from a husband is more challenging than the occasional hurt from a friend and I’m responsible to train my children so I need to point out what they are doing wrong. I’m not suggesting that we don’t communicate with our husbands how their words or actions affect us. And clearly, we should not forsake training our children. I am suggesting that more could be overlooked, grace could flow more freely, and communication and correction should come from a better place; a place bathed in prayer; a place where there is a sincere hope for the relationship to be better; a place of genuine concern over their actions and behaviour. Instead, our communication and correction often come from anger, fear, insecurity, selfishness, embarrassment, pride, perfectionism, and laziness. I’ve learned a few things about handling the sin of others. Handling the sin of another is tricky business. I’ve seen this played out humbly and horribly, and I’m guilty of botching this one with friends and family. My top takeaway when I’ve witnessed this played out well is that the “confronter” comes alongside as a fellow sinner, with humility, and compassion. I imagine they were able to do this because their own sin was not some far-off unfamiliar thing. Sincerely confessing our sins to God and others is a key ingredient to this familiarity. We need to be well acquainted with our own sins and shortcomings if we are going to be able to come alongside our husbands and children in humility, compassion, and hope. There is a way to interact with our sin that keeps us humble, compassionate, and merciful without burying us under guilt and shame. You will need a full understanding of the gospel to do this. My friends call upon me regularly to pray for them and I do pray. My husband and children don’t. Why? I pray for my husband and children every day. I’m not sure why they don’t call on me for prayer but I know what I want to do about it. I have a very loyal prayer warrior friend. I don’t know what her system is. Maybe she has a list of names that she loops through, maybe my name is written on some calendar, maybe it’s something that just happens naturally when you are such a devoted prayer warrior, I don’t know, but she sends me a message every few weeks asking how she can be praying for me. There is a well-worn path between her and me when it comes to prayer and she has been the one to clear that path! My final thoughts: There is a direct connection between our love for others and our witness for Christ; our love shows that we are his disciples. This is so much bigger than having a good marriage or having children that turn out ok. May we all seek the Lord in prayer, asking Him to reveal to us how we are falling short in the area of loving our husbands and children. May we display wisdom, restraint, and care as we communicate. And may we all have well-worn paths between us and our husbands and children, where we seek them out, asking them how we can pray for them. by Adrianne Curwen Adrianne is a wife to a public-school educator/administrator and a homeschooling Mama to seven children, ranging in age from 7 to 23. She believes that we have a unique opportunity as homeschoolers to design individualized education that suits giftings, interests, and passions. She and her husband have used a blend of registered homeschooling, enrolment with independent DL schools, and participation in public trade school programs to design individualized programs for their children. She is passionate about using as many read-alouds, picture books, novels, and conversations to educate her children but also gets excited by the amazing homeschool-designed
Family Life Novels
The Vanderbeekers Series The Mitchells Series The Penderwicks Series The Fairchild Family Series
Gift Ideas Christmas 2020
Big Red Barn Gift this book alongside a farm animal colouring book and a fresh box of crayons. Or you could pick up a few animal figures to go with it. Snow A fresh stack of white paper, a new pair of scissors, and a copy of this book is all you need for a special gift for someone who would enjoy cutting out snowflakes. If you are really brave you could add glue and glitter. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Purchase Playdough in an assortment of colours or supplies to make your own. A package of googly eyes, feathers, and pipe cleaners are just a few additions that will help create the animals in this book. The Gift of the Christmas Cookie Pick up ingredients and supplies to bake and then gift Christmas cookies to others. To make it extra special add a set of their very own measuring cups and spoons. Such a yummy way to introduce fractions. Harold and the Purple Crayon A purple craft box filled with purple art supplies would make such a cute gift. How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World A book like this would be nice to give alongside a new recipe binder. It’s so fun to collect your own tried and true recipes. Snowman-Cold=Puddle The picture book is just begging to be read alongside a science activity. Be creative, pick up a few supplies along with a copy of this book and you have the makings of a fun winter science activity. by Adrianne Curwen Adrianne is a wife to a public-school educator/administrator and a homeschooling Mama to seven children, ranging in age from 7 to 23. She believes that we have a unique opportunity as homeschoolers to design individualized education that suits giftings, interests, and passions. She and her husband have used a blend of registered homeschooling, enrolment with independent DL schools, and participation in public trade school programs to design individualized programs for their children. She is passionate about using as many read-alouds, picture books, novels, and conversations to educate her children but also gets excited by the amazing homeschool-designed curriculum that’s out there. Adrianne is thrilled by her new role as Communication Specialist for Classical Education Books and is grateful to have an opportunity to learn something new. She is grateful, every day, for her saviour, Jesus Christ, and has no greater joy than when she sees her most important missions field walk with Him.
Winter Book Stack
The Mitten Katy and the Big Snow Snow Stopping By Snow on a Snowy Evening Snowflake Bentley Owl Moon Snow is Falling White Snow, Bright Snow Winter on the Farm Snowman-Cold=Puddle Brave Irene
Movie Night Book Stack
Tom Sawyer Heidi Pride and Prejudice Black Beauty Animal Farm Where to Red Fern Grows Little Women Robinson Crusoe The Swiss Family Robinson Old Yeller Emma Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Anne of Green Gables Watership Down Mr. Popper’s Penguins Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Charlotte’s Web The Secret Garden Mary Poppins 1984 There are many ways to enjoy time together as a family and bonding over books and movies is a simple way to connect. Start of course by reading the book and then plan a fun movie night! You can keep it simple and just add some popcorn or you can add some extra steps and make an event out of it: pre-made tickets, a ticket booth, concession stand, an usher, or maybe even go big with a projector to create a big-screen experience. Homeschooling families have a special relationship with books and they are certainly the focus in all of our families. Adding a movie night is fun and can even be used as a tool to encourage those reluctant readers. In our home, we’ve often said ‘no’ to movies unless the novel was read first. It’s been the nudge that some of our kiddos have needed. We all want our children to develop critical thinking skills and taking the time to read a book and then watch the movie is a great way to get those gears going. You don’t need to dampen the fun by pulling out worksheets; a simple conversation will do. Begin with open ended questions that encourage your child to compare and contrast the book and the movie. You’ll also be developing social skills in your children as you read and then watch; encouraging your children to consider the perspectives and creativity of others. Please keep in mind that this is not an endorsement of all of these movies. You’ll have to take the time to research and figure out what works for your family’s standard. Enjoy. by Adrianne Curwen Adrianne is a wife to a public-school educator/administrator and a homeschooling Mama to seven children, ranging in age from 7 to 23. She believes that we have a unique opportunity as homeschoolers to design individualized education that suits giftings, interests, and passions. She and her husband have used a blend of registered homeschooling, enrolment with independent DL schools, and participation in public trade school programs to design individualized programs for their children. She is passionate about using as many read-alouds, picture books, novels, and conversations to educate her children but also gets excited by the amazing homeschool-designed curriculum that’s out there. Adrianne is thrilled by her new role as Communication Specialist for Classical Education Books and is grateful to have an opportunity to learn something new. She is grateful, every day, for her saviour, Jesus Christ, and has no greater joy than when she sees her most important missions field walk with Him.
Geography Picture Books – Book Stacks
Tough choice here….. Travel through history. Circumnavigate the globe in Magellan’s World, then voyage around the bottom of Africa in A Long and Uncertain Journey, see your way through the impenetrable fog and crushing ice in Beyond the Sea of Ice, and finally, travel from Montreal to the Gulf of Mexico via the Great Lakes and the Mississippi in Despite All Obstacles. by Adrianne Curwen Adrianne is a wife to a public-school educator/administrator and a homeschooling Mama to seven children, ranging in age from 7 to 23. She believes that we have a unique opportunity as homeschoolers to design individualized education that suits giftings, interests, and passions. She and her husband have used a blend of registered homeschooling, enrolment with independent DL schools, and participation in public trade school programs to design individualized programs for their children. She is passionate about using as many read-alouds, picture books, novels, and conversations to educate her children but also gets excited by the amazing homeschool-designed curriculum that’s out there. Adrianne is thrilled by her new role as Communication Specialist for Classical Education Books and is grateful to have an opportunity to learn something new. She is grateful, every day, for her saviour, Jesus Christ, and has no greater joy than when she sees her most important missions field walk with Him.
Love & Friendship Book Stack (ages 13-18)
The Wind in the Willows Emma The Scarlett Pimpernel The Swiss Family Robinson Little Women My Antonia Eight Cousins Where the Red Fern Grows Anne of Green Gables
Love & Friendship Picture Books Book Stacks
Rikki Tikki Tavi Velveteen Rabbit Frog & Toad Together Guess How Much I Love You Saint Valentine The Monkey & The Crocodile The Owl & The Pussycat
Curriculum Spotlight – Myself & Others
What About Socialization? There is one question that is guaranteed to get a response from a homeschooling parent. It goes something like this: What about socialization? What follows is usually an entertaining conversation. Asking a homeschooling Mom about socialization is like asking an alien about extra-terrestrial life. We live with these tiny humans. All we do is socialize them. Just don’t get us started. Reactive or Proactive? In truth though, there is a tiny molecule in our brains that doubts our confidence. Are they really socialized? Do they really have the social habits and behaviors that are acceptable in public? I would suggest that they do, but only because we’re actually really self-conscious about this subject. We react more than we act, and when we see our children behave in a way that is not sensitive to their surroundings we will follow up and teach them after the fact. But we don’t have to react. We could be proactive and know what it is that we need to teach our children about habits and behaviors that are respectful to our fellow humans. This is how the curriculum Myself and Others can help. This program addresses subjects that we know we want to teach to our children, but we don’t think about it until it’s too late. Add Read-Alouds This program starts with the very basics by helping a child to understand what he or she is feeling. What does it mean? How shall the child respond? If you just do the core program you will be so blessed with the topics that are addressed. But if you are able to add in the read alouds, then the richness of manners really displays itself. For example, there is no better work on friendship and the fruit of kindness than Winnie-the-Pooh. Loyalty shows up in Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, and diligence in The Little Red Hen. Children might understand rules, but they definitely understand stories. As they travel with Miss Rumphius, scattering beauty wherever she goes, they will see the truth of how kindness and generosity extend beyond our actions and bless others after we are gone. Teach Them to Love After four programs, children will have a good idea of how to conduct themselves in a way that not only shows love to their neighbors, but also honors God, and reflects His design for our lives. After all, one of the greatest commandments is to love your neighbor as yourself. Knowing how to control our bodies, minds, and thoughts is right up there in loving those around us. Quick facts: This can be done with special needs children too. You can purchase the guide alone for plenty of ideas and tips. The books with the core sets enhance and illustrate the ideas. The read-aloud packages are optional, but they both help you as the parent to see where to guide discussion and they are excellent stories to guide the child’s moral imagination even if you never get a chance to discuss a word of them. by Hester VanBraeden Hester is a second-generation home-educating parent who is keenly aware that her own education is not complete, and comfortable that it probably never will be. She has many years of experience with children, books, and curriculum. She loves to travel to worlds and times beyond the present with her children through many books. Hester and her husband have four children and live in the lower mainland of BC.
Love and Friendship Book Stack (Ages 8-12)
Five Little Peppers and How They Grew Heidi Old Mother West Wind The Hundred Dresses Chu Ju’s House Archer and Zowie The Penderwicks The Boxcar Children Charlotte’s Web Beezus and Ramona Cupid and Psyche
Advent Book Calendar
How does your family celebrate the waiting? Advent has a long and interesting history with various traditions popping up throughout. Advent means “coming” in Latin. Today Christians use the season of advent to celebrate the coming of Jesus into the world and it is also symbolic as the church waits for Christs’ return. It is common to light a candle and read from the scriptures on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day. There are numerous ways that a family can use this season to teach their children about Christ’s birth and his return. I encourage you to develop traditions that mark this time. The traditions can be used to draw you away from the overwhelming pace that is so typical of this season. They will remind you and your family about the joyous anticipation that awaits believers. This package will take you through 24 days of Advent with a wonderful 25th book to open on Christmas Day. Each book has been carefully selected to help kids think about waiting and preparing. It includes classic tales of the season, from the real story of Saint Nicholas, The Nutcracker, and of course the tale of a Grinch who stole Christmas. It ends with a beautiful book that tells the story of Christmas using art masterpieces and texts directly from Scripture. This package will have a little something for everyone to revisit every year. Package includes: The Littlest Watchman Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening The Little Fir Tree Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend White Snow, Bright Snow The Little Drummer Boy The Christmas Story Christmas around the World The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey The Mitten Christmas Day in the Morning The Little Match Girl The Nutcracker (W/CD) Christmas in the Big Woods Papa Panov’s Special Christmas Katie’s London Christmas The Polar Express An Orange for Frankie The Miracle of St. Nicholas How the Grinch Stole Christmas Snow Good King Wenceslas ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas A Promise Kept
