Happy Birthday, Canada!
Happy Birthday, Canada! Our country has so much to celebrate, and this year we are delighted to help you find some of those stories. As one of the largest countries in the world, Canada is incredibly diverse. With its beginnings during the time of the industrial revolution and its infancy through the scientific advances of the modern age, Canada has seen change happen very quickly, and as it was maturing it kept up with the times. The expansive landmass boasts magnificent mountain ranges, rolling prairies, and frozen tundra. The bounty of this land allows its people to live well by way of its resources, farming, fishing, and more. Honoring this diversity while keeping unity has not always gone smoothly, or without grave error. We don’t want to tell only those stories that make us feel good. We need to share some of the stories that will help us to understand what it is that went so wrong and caused so much grief and trauma. The following are some of the stories that we have to share with you. If you have suggestions on what to add to these stories please let us know! You can find all these titles and more on our website under the new category: Canadian Heritage. Picture Books These are just a few little books to include in our selections for our very young. These books are about young Canadians, or they take place in a Canadian location. A Morning to Polish and Keep A Salmon for Simon How Summer Came to Canada Maple Moon Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt The Sugaring-Off Party Historical Fiction One of the best ways to remember something is to read a story about it. Stories help us to identify with the characters so we can easily find ourselves with feelings that relate to the situation in the story. Literary friends are hard to forget. So here are some suggestions for new friends in Canada’s history. Discovery and Early Settlements: Viking Quest Leif the Lucky Beyond the Sea of Ice Despite All Obstacles Hudson Bay Madeline Takes Command The King’s Daughter Exploration: The Nor’Wester Upper Canada Rebellion: Flight Meyers’ Rebellion Meyers’ Creek (coming soon) Lower Canada Rebellion: Sophie’s Rebellion Sophie’s Treason Sophie’s Exile War of 1812: The Bully Boys With Wolfe in Canada Underground Railway Elijah of Buxton Underground to Canada Please share your favorites with us! Historical Non-Fiction Old diaries and journals can be more interesting than fiction sometimes. Here are some of our suggestions for great reads using some original texts: Champlain’s Dream Jean de Brébeuf Life in Acadia Mrs. Simcoe’s Diary The Firebrand Otherwise Curve of Time Literature Have you ever felt the thrill of reading a story and recognizing the landmarks it was referring to as those in your neighborhood? Something stirs in us to read a story in this place, not just a place. So here are our favorite stories set in Canada. Anne of Green Gables – (Or catch the whole series here) Canadian Summer: The Mitchells – Vol 2 (The first volume does not take place in Canada.) Friendly Gables: The Mitchells – Vol 3 Owls in the Family Lost in the Barrens The Curse of the Viking Grave Shadows On the Rock The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be Canadian Fairy Tales Canadian Wonder Tales Evangeline Of course, we have the perfect book for your Morning Basket that covers a wonderful selection of Canadian literature, poetry, and folk song: The Spirit of Canada. Authors Canada has boasted some great writers, and we are excited to be featuring some of them on our website. Here are just a few: Lucy Maud Montgomery L.M. is best known for her series Anne of Green Gables. But she didn’t stop there. She published prolifically and wrote stories about everyday life that were filled with wonder and romance. Her stories take place in Prince Edward Island and mildly echo her own childhood story. We recommend all of her books as literary delights, but also as a way to enjoy stories from our place, our country. Farley Mowat Mowat is known the world over as an excellent writer. Some of his works of fiction are autobiographical, and all of his fiction is motivated by his activist inspiration. But it’s not just his stories that are Canadian. He was a man of this country, aware of its dangers, disasters, and dilemmas and he actively worked to make life better for Canadians. It’s no surprise that his most effective tool was his stories. Connie Brummel Crook Connie lives in Ontario as a retired teacher. It was when she was teaching ninth grade that she realized that there had to be a better way to teach history. She began to do extensive research on subjects that she had to teach, and the result was captivating stories. My favorite story, Laura’s Choice, is no longer in print. When I told Connie about it, she reminisced on how she had traversed that very walk that Laura had taken in the dark. Connie’s books are some of the best Canadian histories for the classroom. But then, that’s the reason why she wrote. Stephan Leacock Leacock is one of the more obscure Canadian authors, but that is not because he couldn’t write. As an economist, humorist, historian, and political scientist, he offers a variety in his writings that every Canadian student needs to enjoy. His fictitious works are important to understanding small-town Canada. Leacock’s writings can communicate more than usual because he uses humor. That literary device can help us to understand even the most complex. by Hester VanBraeden
Shadows on the Rock (Book Review)
Willa Cather’s “Shadows on the Rock” is a descriptive, gentle, immersive look at life in Quebec in the late 17th century. Twelve-year-old Cecile lives with her apothecary father, navigating life between the Upper and Lower Towns of Quebec City. Cecile takes care of the young half-orphaned Jacques, listens to stories of the woods and rivers from Pierre Charron the adventurer, and practices her faith under the careful but tender eye of Pere de Laval. She takes care of her father and their fine house and shop, and worries about what it will be like to one day return to her native France when her father’s employer must return to serve the King. Sprinkled heavily with French words and sentences, this book would be a nice stepping stone into reading longer French texts. While the reader doesn’t need to fully understand all the French to appreciate the story (my French is virtually non-existent!), it would be fun for a blossoming French student to be able to read a book that brings French and English together. If you have children who enjoyed the Dear Canada series, this book would be excellent for continued reading. Historical figures like Governor Frontenac and Sieur de la Salle are woven into the story, similar to how historical events are treated in the Dear Canada books. A head’s up to parents: while there are few mature topics, and the ones that are discussed are dealt with subtly and delicately, Shadows on the Rock may not be suitable for younger children, and may not be a good choice for a read-aloud. Young Jacques’ mother is the town prostitute, abandoning her son to the elements and good nature of her neighbors while she entertains the sailors who come and go from Quebec City. While her activities are never named explicitly, it is clear what is going on at her hotel. Mentions of torture endured by Catholic priests at the hands of some Indigenous nations are also briefly described and may be disturbing to younger children. Despite touching on heavy subject matter, this book reads like a cross between a Dear Canada novel and Lucy Maud Montgomery’s books. Descriptions are vivid and captivating, and the characters jump off the page. The ideals, values, attitudes, and hard-working character of the first generations of French settlers in Canada thread through the book, and the reader comes away with an appreciation for the hardship and an admiration for the tenacity and good nature of generations gone by. Overall, Shadows on the Rock is a lovely addition to your Canadian history bookshelf and will captivate the imagination of your children. Abigail is a Royal Conservatory of Music graduate; she completed her ARCT in Piano Pedagogy in 2020 and she teaches piano and violin. Abigail is the oldest of 7 and was homeschooled from start to finish. She likes to listen to Bach, Beethoven, and jazz. Other interests include reading, watercolours, and crochet.
Summer Strategies for Homeschoolers
If you are looking for summer strategies for homeschoolers, here’s a blog I’ve written for you. So, keep reading and enjoy! Summer had a certain “feel” growing up; it started with that walk home on the last day of school. Two months seemed endless and I welcomed, even as a kid, the change of pace. Bedtime was later, sleeping in was the norm, mornings were lazy, and we spent huge amounts of time outside. I still welcome the change of pace that summer brings, but I’m not a fan of taking two entire months off from routine and productivity. Instead, I like to use the summer to do all I can to make life easier through the upcoming school year, to get things done that I struggle to get to, and to enjoy a change of pace. Today I’m sharing seven summer strategies for homeschoolers. I hope the warmer months bring a sweet balance of sleeping in, productivity, and a few extra lazy mornings. Summer Suggestion #1 – Plan but not too much! The days so easily slip into weeks, then months, and before you know it summer is over, and you’ve accomplished little. I like to create a summer wish list in June to give myself vision and structure for the coming weeks. My list contains all kinds of things: new recipes to try, places to visit, people to see, books to read, and tasks to complete. It’s important to be realistic, perhaps quite conservative regarding what you plan to accomplish. Remember, you want structure, not stress. One of the items on my list is to organize weekly science experiments. My children enjoy science experiments but they are just one of those things that I struggle to find time for during the regular school year. Classical Education Books carries several science experiment resources; here is the one I have my eyes on for this summer. Big Book of Science Experiments If your school year is typically full of science experiments and activities then this resource probably isn’t for you. Maybe these easy reading resources would be a better match for some light summer learning. Astronomy The Periodic Table Biology Physics Planet Earth Engineering Chemistry Summer Suggestion #2 – Training The summer months make great training months. Take the time to make a list of chores you hope to see your children doing as part of their daily routine when fall rolls around and take the summer to train them. You’ll be grateful once the busyness rolls around that your children know how to put dishes away, switch a load of laundry and make a simple meal. Sometimes the focus needs to be on training character & behavior. The low-pressure season of summer provides a great opportunity for assessment and strategy. Teaching Character Through Literature is a great resource to use as you come alongside and train your children. Summer Suggestion #3 – Win (most) Mornings Here’s one of my favorite summer strategies for homeschoolers. I like to indulge in the later evenings and mornings that summer affords but not for weeks on end. I prefer not to unravel our morning routine completely so this summer my plan is to treat every weekend as a long weekend and then set my family up to follow a routine during the rest of the week: regular bedtimes, waking times, and chores along with a morning learning time. Our Morning Basket or Morning Learning Time always includes a selection of picture books…summer-themed of course. The Little Island One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab Kermit the Hermit Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears Lucy’s Summer Amos & Boris My Shadow The Storm Book Roxaboxen Blueberries for Sal Summer Suggestion #4 – Learn Something New and Review Sadly, all kinds of learning are pushed to the side during the regular school year. Summer is a great time to check off those extra-curricular boxes and this summer I’ve got my eye on “Art in a Box”. Summer is also a great time to fill in gaps or master some learning that was a bit wobbly through the year like multiplication or penmanship. Take the time to discern what truly needs work; don’t take it all on. Remember, structure, not stress. This Summer Cursive workbook is a great way to get in a little extra practice before the year starts. It will make the school year better if this skill becomes effortless. Summer Suggestion #5 – Get Organized Although, I’ve had to adjust my standards over the years, starting the fall with everything in its place is important to me. I enjoy the process and admit that it comes naturally to me; I’m fortunate that way. We all have to outsource at times so maybe hiring an organizer is something you should consider. Following is a list of organizational project ideas: Room by Room Organizing and Deep Cleaning Organize Recipes & Fall Meal Planning Digital Organizing (photos, files, email) Homeschool Supplies & Resources Closets & Clothing Inventory Christmas Planning Garage & Shed Deep Clean Vehicles Set up/Organize Emergency Supplies Plan, Organize and Shop for Birthdays Summer Suggestion #6 – Build Habits with Habit Stacking Habit Stacking is simple and summer is the time to introduce this concept. Pick a habit that you want to incorporate into your daily routine and attach it to an existing habit. That’s it! Do you forget to take your supplements each day but remember to brush your teeth? Put the supplement bottle in your toothbrush drawer. Do you have a child who has finally mastered making their bed every morning but forgets to put their pajamas away? Work on attaching the desired habit to the existing habit. It’s not enough to just discuss this idea unless you have a house full of self-starters. You’ll need to commit to inspecting what you expect. Summer Suggestion #7 – Stock up on Summer Resources Summer boredom inevitably creeps in at times. Finally, to cap off our summer strategies for homeschoolers, it’s a
Summer Music – Tips & Resources
As a music teacher, I always approach the summer months with a sense of apprehension. The majority of families take a well-deserved break through July and August, and I wave goodbye to my students at the end of June wondering how much knowledge they’ll return with in September. “Use it or lose it,” is an interesting truism, and I have seen the results of this in many kick-off lessons. So if you’re looking for summer music ideas and activities, read on. If you want your kids to use the skills they’ve carefully and patiently built up over the last ten months over their summer break, or if you want to bolster your fine arts repertoire, or if you simply want to expose a curious child to music education to see if they might be interested in music lessons come the new school year, then this summer music blog post is for you! Summer Music Tips & Resources Five easy tips to keep the love of creating music alive in your kids during their summer break. Listen Listening to Classical music is an easily missed component of learning music. Students can get so caught up in perfecting their pieces that they forget the bigger picture of what they are a part of. Go through their music books and find the composers that they’re playing (names are usually in the top right corner on the page), then take to Youtube and Spotify and find out what else they’ve written. Bonus points if you can find videos of professional performers and symphony orchestras to expose your kids to good posture, performance practice, and stage presence. Books like Meet the Orchestra (for smaller children) and The Story of the Orchestra (for somewhat bigger children) also do a fabulous job of introducing kids to the different instruments used in Western Art Music and can be especially beneficial if your child only has experience with one instrument. The Gift of Music is another fabulous tool if you want to study a particular composer in depth. Research Using books like The Story of the Orchestra (for middle children) and The Gift of Music (for older children), take the composers you’ve found and listen to their pieces with some background knowledge of the composer. Did you know that Beethoven was already going deaf as he wrote his infamous Fifth symphony? Did you know that Schumann was likely schizophrenic? Did you know that Bach had twenty children? Did you know that much of Mendelssohn’s music was likely written by his sister, Fanny? This sort of background knowledge can inform how you and your children listen to and appreciate the music, and will also benefit them as they go on to play music by these composers. Colour Colouring is a remarkably efficient and flexible way to engage children of all ages in music appreciation. Using colouring books like the Musical Instruments colouring book, the Great Composers colouring book, and the Music Activity Book gives your children a double whammy experience, combining both creative work and studious work. Simply giving them a piece of blank paper and telling them to draw a story that they think the music sounds like is another simple and quick way to get them to listen and use their imagination. Program music (instrumental music that was written to purposefully depict a story) is a great place to start. Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals, Tchaikovsky’s Peter and the Wolf, Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King, and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons are great pieces that come with stories already. If you think your child is ready for something more abstract, go for pieces like Beethoven’s 5th symphony, Handel’s Water Music Suite, or Schoenberg’s Piano Suite. Expand Take the opportunity in the summer to expand your child’s (and your own!) taste in music beyond whatever is on the radio or on your playlists already. Listen to Harry Connick Jr. if your child has never been exposed to jazz. Find a family-friendly musical like Newsies and memorize all the lyrics. Discover different styles of folk and fiddle music like Bluegrass, Irish, Old-Time, and Metis. Or go farther abroad and listen to music from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. You’ll find instruments not found in the resources above, and your kids will develop an ear for a wide variety of styles! Create While serious composition can scare off the perfectionists in your children, getting comfortable exploring their instrument outside of structured music is a great exercise that will only serve them in their study of music. Learning simple songs by ear (trying to play a song without looking at a score, just going by how it sounds) is a good place to start. Imitating nature is a good next step – can they make their instrument sound like rain? Like a thunderstorm? Like birds singing? Like a kangaroo jumping around? Like leaves swirling? What about events like a race, or a ballet, or going to church? Exploration like this strengthens familiarity with the instrument and pushes children to take ownership of their tone. Make the Most Our of Your Summer with Music! I hope that after reading through these summer music tips your creative juices are flowing! The ability to appreciate music of all types and forms is an invaluable gift you can give your children, and I encourage the parents reading to nurture this God-given gift in your home. The study of music brings beauty, perseverance, expression, and satisfaction to everyone who digs a little deeper into the history and technique of how music is built. All the best in your summer music studies! Abigail is a Royal Conservatory of Music graduate; she completed her ARCT in Piano Pedagogy in 2020 and she teaches piano and violin. Abigail is the oldest of 7 and was homeschooled from start to finish. She likes to listen to Bach, Beethoven, and jazz. Other interests include reading, watercolours, and crochet.
Well Ordered Language – Review
Our Story I didn’t know much about Well-Ordered Language when I bought the 1A student edition earlier this school year. I thought it’d be a bit of a last-ditch effort for my (ahem, older) kids to properly learn grammar after doing practice with Daily Grams, some IEW sentence wrangling, and some really great Ruth Heller picture books when my two were younger. Nothing seemed to stick. They could stumble through the two afore-mentioned curriculums; paying attention just enough to get them done within the prescribed 3 minutes a day, but they had zero interest or motivation to allow the sticky notes of information in their brain to actually…stick. I’d read a different book from Classical Academic Press and had heard quite a bit about the program so…why not? I’d try it out to see if we could get anywhere with it. I’m very pleased to inform you that we’re just now finishing up Book 1B and will work steadily through 2A until the end of term, teaching two kids of different ages, and abilities and the ‘notes have stuck!’ Easily Adaptable Language Arts Program Well-Ordered language can be taught to any child at any level. It starts at the very beginning of basic grammar and sentence structure, with subjects and predicates, and moves through levels 1-4, with both A and B components or two books per year, one per semester, for four years/levels. I’ve only done level 1 so far, so I’ll stick with talking about that, but I’ve been very impressed with not only the ease and logical progression of the program, but the adaptability, and the quality literature and language it tucks in between the covers, as well. My children are not grades 3 and 4, as suggested for the Classical school’s use, but are in middle school. One has diagnosed learning disabilities, the other, just assumed (and not as severe). The ‘stickiness’ of concepts is often a cause of low executive function. A lot of review, slow pace and daily practice with solid momentum helps a lot. A beginner program that can be adapted to use for older students is always something I’m keeping an eye out for. Although there are some portions that we’ve skipped due to age (like the songs/chants–these help younger kids, I’m sure, but my older kids just feel like they are too ‘babyish’. Fair enough-if they can master the content, they can skip that exercise in each chapter). I also have adapted the program for two students to use one book as opposed to just one. It cuts my cost in half, but it also cuts the work in half, though they still get the quality content, teaching, and review. Those who struggle with a lot of writing/content at one time, this ‘less work more often’ system is very helpful. Great Layout and No Drivel! The content is excellent. Classical Academic Press (CAPs) always uses quality literature, poetry, and Latin words/definitions in their teaching, which I strongly prefer to made-up sentences that amount to drivel or uninteresting paragraphs you’d find on a standard test. My kids have had a broader understanding of the grammar rules because the way they lay out everything is, as Goldilocks says, “just right”. It’s orderly and you don’t spend too little or too much time on it before moving on to the next concept, which just builds on the prior one. It is aptly named. Complimentary Writing Program Well-Ordered Language has a sister writing program, called Writing and Rhetoric, and although I didn’t know it at the time, they mesh beautifully together. That was just a happy little accident that worked out for the benefit of my family by working through them side by side. (See also: last-ditch efforts) Working Well-Ordered Language together with Writing and Rhetoric has improved my children’s ability to understand the parts of a sentence, grammar rules, and amplification with description and dialogue drastically within one year. Their writing ability has sky-rocketed in the last 6 months alone. I am very pleased with these two programs, see the immense benefits of working them in tandem, and will continue to use them next year. I’m just a little disappointed I didn’t know about them until this past year! If you’d like to know more on how to adapt them to different ages, and abilities, or have more questions, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment and I’ll be in touch. Shop here for all Well-Ordered Language Levels. My name is Sarah Mast and I homeschool my two kids in Ft. Langley, BC. One of my favorite aspects of homeschooling is the community gained, and I volunteer with a local support group to help foster that and connect others. My family loves the outdoors and traveling, and our weekends include skiing, swimming, hiking, or biking depending on the season. I found Classical Education Books at a conference and noticed their well-curated selection of children’s books. I kept tabs on their collection of the classics and hard-to-find books and reached out. Now I get to help customers hone their collections, and work on the ever-growing inventory here at CEB!
