Beautiful Feet Books Intermediate Ancient History
I’m just going to get this out of the way first thing: I loved using this curriculum! It made it easy to have a deep and rich history experience with my kids using literature – my preferred method of teaching. Teach without a Textbook I had never heard of Beautiful Feet Books curriculum or their literature packages, but as I was perusing the CEB website to try to combine my grade 6 and grade 8 students, for socials last year, I came across a few options, and the Ancient History Intermediate Package was one of them. I liked that the Beautiful Feet Books curriculum focuses on history (or science, geography….) using a literature spine instead of a textbook, and doesn’t require much prep-work. This ticked every box for me. I could easily work in a science text of my choosing, Aristotle Leads the Way, that integrated really well for my students’ ages and time-period studied. Flexible History Curriculum The packages can be added to or subtracted from if you have one or two of the books on your shelves already. We added Pyramid, by David Macaulay, and also used some of the supplemental books suggested like Pharaoh’s Boat, Black Ships Before Troy, Lysis Goes to the Play*, and refreshed from a previous year’s read-aloud of Archimedes and the Door of Science. We also added in Galen and the Gateway to Medicine, and slipped it right in between our socials and science textbook, for a really fascinating look at the history of medicine in the ancient world. Some of these books we read-aloud together, some they read independently, and some we read “side by side”. This means I read it ahead of time, and they read it during their school time as an assignment, followed by talking about it together–like a mini book club. Optional History Activities Our family included many of the hands-on art projects suggested like the following: making a Roman mosaic (you can get tile pieces and specific tile glue at craft stores), sculpting clay busts, planning a Roman city (using graph paper and then leveling up using a free 3-D design app!), and writing out phrases using the Greek alphabet. I made up one art/design project and that was to create an Egyptian pyramid complete with hidden chambers full of treasures, using Minecraft. My kids enjoyed all of these and really did some unique and creative work they were proud of. The curriculum comes with comprehension questions for every chapter of the books that go with the curriculum and adds in a few interesting links or other historical data/reading to go along if you want to deep dive. There are answers to these questions in the back of the teacher guide, as well. There are maps in every section to label and refer back to, and plenty of vocabulary words from the various time periods and cultures for students to define. I appreciated this bit of extra learning because if it hadn’t been included, I likely wouldn’t have had the time or energy to come up with maps, places, vocabulary words, and art projects on my own. History Curriculum for Multiple Ages Beautiful Feet Books history/literature packages have multiple options for junior high and high school levels. If you’re schooling multiple grades, you could even mix and match, and share some of the same books for both levels. This is what I’m planning on doing this upcoming year with both Medieval History Intermediate and Medieval History Senior High, and pairing with the next level in Joy Hakim’s science texts, Newton at the Center. I’ve gone through the guides and am already excited at the literature we’ll be reading together, the unique artwork they’ll create, and the depth of knowledge they’ll be diving into! *Out of any of the extras, I would just skip Lysis at the Play; it’s just a bit too young for middle schoolers, though it does give a good reference for daily life between boys and girls, and what a real Greek theater experience may have been like. 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!
Do Mornings Well part 2
Everyone needs to define for themselves what a successful homeschool morning includes and in my experience, the definition can vary with each season of life. I had a different standard during my night-time nursing years than I do now with a seven-year-old as my youngest. As you are pondering what a successful morning looks like, consider what others do, try what might work for you, and leave the rest. We don’t run a rigorous homeschool, but I like to be productive and can get discouraged when the hours float away with little to show for it. I am on a constant quest to improve our mornings and am a firm believer in the idea that winning the morning is key to winning the day; those days become weeks and months before you know it. In part one, I wrote about Homeschool Morning Time/Morning Baskets as part of a successful morning; you can read about that here. Habits help your mornings. Another key ingredient that I aim to include in our mornings is good habits. If we were to all sit-down and share our visions for a successful morning, none of us would include spending 20 minutes looking for the grammar textbook before starting the grammar lesson! Instead, we should be building in ourselves and our children some foundational habits of orderliness. Good habits are important, and your morning habits set you up for the rest of day; poor morning habits have a way of reaching into your evening, and poor evening habits reach into the next morning (morning girl hates late-night girl). Values and Habits You need to decide for yourself what habits are important to you. Start by thinking about what you value and go from there to build habits in yourself and your children. We don’t all value the same things, in the same order of priority and that’s ok. There are many categories of habits: health & wellness habits, spending & financial habits, social & relationship habits, cleanliness & orderliness habits, productivity habits…the list goes on. It really is worth sitting down, thinking things through, and coming up with a plan to incorporate the habits that align with your values. What works for me, might not work for you. I’m someone who values orderliness and so in my world, washing the breakfast dishes right before having to make lunch is a madness maker but really there is no law that says breakfast dishes must be washed immediately after breakfast. I believe what’s important is that you have a plan and live with a quiet confidence in your plan. Those breakfast dishes need to get done and if washing them at noon fits better into your day then go with that. What I think is hard to live with on a day-to-day basis is to arrive in the kitchen at noon and realize, “Oh right, I haven’t done the breakfast dishes yet”. The morning is key! As you work through the process of identifying your values and then deciding on what habits need to be worked on, focus on morning habits for now. There is no need to tackle an entire days’ worth of habits or every single beneficial health and wellness habit all at once. Instead, focus on what you want your mornings to be like and evolve from there. Training your Children Your children are building habits whether you guide them in this or not and they will be habits that will serve them well in the future or compound the challenges of life. Training the habits of children is challenging and sometimes slow going. If we were enjoying a cup of tea together, I would encourage you to start young but with a long view in mind; avoid too much too soon as small changes over time make a big difference. Begin with a few foundational habits that are important to you, master them and then add more; be gentle but consistent, and inspect what you expect. Classical Education Books carries a stack of resources to help you with your habit training. Laying Down the Rails Teaching Character Through Literature Manner of the Week Wall Chart Healthy Happy Habits Good Manners for Kids Myself & Others Mind Your Manners New Americal Cursive – manners 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.
First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind
Written by Jessie Wise & Sara Buffington, First Language Lessons is an elementary-level grammar & composition curriculum. There are 4 levels that loosely correspond to grade levels. This is a significant plus for me as we run the full spectrum of learners; those who have giftings outside of academics and those whose giftings are academics. I greatly appreciate it when homeschool curriculum doesn’t splash the grade level across the front. It’s a simple thing but I prefer it when the terms “level 1” or “book a” are used over “grade 1”. Flexible and Easy to Use Grammar Curriculum I hold off teaching grammar until students are reading well. The First Language Lessons curriculum is flexible and allows you to do that as Level 3 can be used after levels 1 & 2 or it can be used as a first grammar text for older elementary students. Level 1 – start with a grade 1 or 2 student and then carry on with the other 3 levels Level 2 – grade 2/3 Level 3 – start with a grade 3, 4, or 5 students and then carry on with the next level Level 4 – grade 4-6 The instructions are simple and straight forward and it’s clear right from the start how you are to move through the curriculum. The fact that each level has significantly less than 180 lessons was a huge draw for me. It is a turn-off for me when homeschool curriculum packs in enough lessons to fill every possible teaching day over a 10-month period. I prefer a curriculum that allows us the freedom to veer from the schedule from time to time to pursue other interests, dive into projects, spend some time reviewing, or just take a break. Level 1 & 2 contain 100 lessons each Level 3 110 lessons: 89 regular lessons 7 writing letters lessons 7 dictionary skills lessons 7 oral usage lessons Level 4 101 lessons: 85 regular lessons 1 contraction lesson 10 writing lessons 5 dictionary skills lessons The workbooks are consumable but reasonably priced. There is a lot of white space on each page, a benefit for anyone who can become overwhelmed when there are a lot of words on a page. Also, there are no graphics or characters. We purchased the downloadable version of the workbooks, and I would not do that again. It has been a hassle to keep up with printing lessons off using our own printer and I have found having the entire workbook printed at a printing company to be costly; not enough of a savings to make the extra steps worthwhile. Classical Approach All four levels of the First Language Lessons use classical techniques to develop language ability: memory work, copy-work, dictation, picture narration, story narration, and grammar. Direct Instruction If you are at all hesitant about your own grammar skills and teaching ability this would be a great choice as every lesson is scripted, simple, and straightforward. This curriculum is not set up for a student to learn on their own; an instructor is needed! The scripted lessons make it easy for the instructor, and this direct instruction method is essential for learners who get bogged down in written instructions. Most lessons are not lengthy, so you don’t need to worry about the fact that the lessons require you to walk your student through them. There is the occasional lengthy lesson, but most are very reasonable. There is a good amount of repetition of topics throughout each level, so I have not found the short lessons to be a problem, and most lessons have an optional component that we always completed as the lessons really were so manageable. The flexibility and ease of this program allow you to use a writing program alongside it, or you could wait and use a formal writing program after Level 4. The First Language Lessons is a solid grammar curriculum and should easily make it into your top 3 when trying to narrow down your choices. 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.
The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way (Review)
Homeschool Science: The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way Aristotle Leads the Way was the main science text I found to pair with Beautiful Feet Books Ancient History (Intermediate) curriculum for my past year of homeschooling. My kids were in grades 6 and 8 this past year, and we often do Socials and Science together for ease. Aristotle Leads the Way was a perfect fit for middle school. I wanted an open-and-go resource that we would be able to keep up with our interwoven subjects. I was so pleased with this choice! It created a rich and fertile ground for seeping ourselves into history I’d forgotten from my youth but was eager to press into.* Teach Science through History Finding Aristotle Leads the Way was like finding a needle in a haystack. I was able to marry two sciences that my children enjoy learning about–Physics and Astronomy–with the historical era of Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. If your child has never been introduced to either of these subjects, it doesn’t matter. This is an excellent place to start because Hakim gives us the chronological order of the ideas and observations that birthed these two subjects. If your students have had experience they’ll find new information and rediscover the why and how behind these disciplines from great thinkers of ancient times. As far as textbooks go, this is a smaller one, but at just under 300 pages, it’s flush with ancient maps, geographical photographs to provide context, works of art throughout antiquity, diagrams of inventions, and little excerpts that give the student practice with the concepts, whether that’s prime numbers or how Hero calculated the area of a triangle. Don’t know who Hero was? You’ll want to look him up; he was one of my students’ favorite thinkers and tinkerers from this text. If Hero’s ideas would have caught on quicker we’d likely be in flying cars by now! He invented hydraulics and a steam-powered device while living in Alexandria. The steam-engine powered train was up and running only 18 centuries later. Hero was a tad ahead of his time. I learned a lot this past year alongside my kids, and Hakim was a fantastic tour guide. She has a witty sense of humor, and the book is written to be read as a story. She spins the known world and highlights the masters of antiquity in philosophy, astronomy, physics, engineering, and mathematics, and how all of these disciplines were entwined together in the beginnings of scientific thought, experimentation, and record. We had such a good experience with Aristotle Leads the Way that we’ll be finishing the series over the next two years, adding Newton at the Center and Einstein Adds a Dimension, to our curriculum choices for science. I don’t recall ever hearing a peer saying to another, “Wow, that was really good!” about a textbook but that happened in my classroom! *So many puns, so little time. 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!
Do Mornings Well! Part 1
Do Mornings Well! “Win the Morning, Win the Day!” I see this quoted often in books, on blogs, Instagram feeds, and Facebook pages that are dedicated to productivity, entrepreneurship, personal growth, and habit development. I’m not an entrepreneur, but I’m a bit of a productivity/habit/organization nerd, and over the last several months, I’ve been wondering how some of the excellent advice that is given in the business space might apply to homeschooling. One of the key concepts that I come across on a regular basis is the idea of setting yourself up to win your mornings. In the business world that often means being up at 5 am, getting in a good workout, answering emails, reviewing the day’s schedule of meetings, and planning out a list of tasks. Winning the morning is a concept that can be applied to anyone’s life and I’ve got three topics that I’d like to share with you over the next several months that will help you win your homeschool mornings. Morning Time Building Habits Bullet Journaling Morning Time: Mornings with my children have always been a treasured time. So much so that it was a challenging adjustment as my children grew and started to be out of the home most mornings with work and post-secondary classes. The memories of first morning smiles from my babies, first hugs of the day from my toddlers, and big kids who always seemed to be in the mood to snuggle first thing in the morning are some of my favourite mothering moments. Our homeschool mornings have always been gentle and slow-moving, but productive. The nighttime nursing years rarely saw me out of bed before the little ones, but now, with my nursing years behind me, I’m able to get out of bed before my children and accomplish a few things before waking them up to get started with their day. I encourage you not to miss the opportunity we have to make special morning memories. It’s worth seeking out how to do them well. And winning the morning sets you up for a great day. I first heard about morning time at a homeschool conference (also called morning baskets, lunchtime learning, together time, morning meeting, family learning time, and circle time). The concept is simply gathering your children together to learn something together and it is a great way to start the day. We have tried implementing this concept at other times of the day, and you should do what works for you, but I think there are real benefits to sticking to mornings. Morning Time starts your day with order and routine, ensures that enrichment studies get done, and my favorite…if the rest of our day falls apart, we have still engaged in meaningful learning. Getting Started with Morning Time You don’t need heaps of time. Start by setting aside 20-30 minutes and build up from there. I like to use several resources each morning, but you can start with one, and add on as you go. If you are already doing a regular morning devotion, add one more component to your Morning Time to get you started. Storage for Morning Time Resources When I first heard about Morning Time, it was referred to as a Morning Basket and I opted to use an actual basket. We outgrew that basket quickly so I currently use a 3-tiered rolling cart, but you could use a bookshelf or box. Portable storage is ideal if you think you might want to do morning time curled up on your bed one day and at the kitchen table the next. Scheduling your Homeschool Morning Time Once you have built up a stack of resources you will want to consider scheduling. My preference is a flexible loop schedule. I set things up so that I can move a resource that I’ve used one day to the back of the stack to wait for another day. The only one I use daily is the bible resource. You could opt for a set schedule too, where you have particular resources that are used on certain days. I prefer to keep things flexible. I make morning time a priority but there are times where I have to set it aside or we have to cut our time short so looping through the resources seems to work best for us. Ages & Stages and Morning Time Resources I’m currently spending my mornings with my four youngest (ages 7-15). I have found that when we have used a resource that is geared towards younger children, the older ones have found the review helpful; when the resource is geared towards older ones, the younger ones still seem to be able to glean bits of information that build over time. I would encourage you not to fret over the age for which a particular resource is intended. The bible resource we are currently reading is designed more for my 10-year-old but I know that it is a helpful review for my 12 & 15-year-old and my 7-year-old is making connections to the resource we used last year that was geared towards his age. Key Components of Your Morning Time Devotions. Reading a chapter-a-day from the bible works well or you can opt for a Bible storybook. At times we’ve added bible memory work. And when we attended a large church, we had a special prayer project where we rotated through praying for our missionaries (a practical geography lesson too). I would highly recommend any of these resources; we’ve used many of them. The Ology and Wonderfull are next on our list after we are finished with The Children’s Illustrated Bible. Other Bible Storybook Resources Include: The Big Picture Story Bible The Children’s Illustrated Bible The Child’s Story Bible The Story Bible The Golden Children’s Bible Jesus Storybook Bible Story Bible for Older Children The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History When you’re ready, add a creative component: drawing, picture studies, poetry, a simple seasonal craft, and music
A Path for Learning Latin
First, I gave up learning Latin! Once upon a time, long ago, I wanted to learn Latin. I was not necessarily convinced by all the discussions and articles that went on at length about the benefits of Latin. I was a teenager, and Latin was “dead” they said. So I wanted to know more. After trying out a few courses, including Wheelocks Latin, I gave up. I did not understand why the endings of the words kept changing. I did not get how they did that thing with action verbs and being verbs. And let us not even start talking about prepositions. Back then Latin tutors weren’t even thinking about tutoring yet. Self-included. Latin from a Grammar vs. Vocabulary Emphasis Fast forward a few years, and a couple of babies. Of course, you must decide on which curriculum to use before your child turns 2, so I was on it. I was reviewing and reading up on anything and everything that might prepare me and my children for their education. This time around, there was more discussion around the learning of Latin. I had given up hope for myself, but I was convinced that Latin was necessary for a well-rounded education for the sake of my children. But this time I decided to go a different route. Rather than learning Latin from a vocabulary emphasis, I decided to learn it from a grammar emphasis. What is the difference? Well, with a vocabulary emphasis the goal is to have the student reading and speaking Latin as soon as possible. The more you read, the more you understand which endings go along with each other, and the more words you memorize the broader your vocabulary so you can start to understand what you are reading. With a grammar emphasis, the rules of Latin are taught, alongside vocabulary to be sure. But there are a few key reasons why one might want to learn Latin from a grammatical perspective if one is already fluent in English. Latin grammar and English grammar are very similar so as one learns Latin grammar it can double up as English grammar. What we take for granted as “the way it is” in English will be explained as a logical and reasonable structure for communication. Latin has 4 conjunctions and 5 declensions. That is all. (Ok sure, there are a few more things you need to know, but once you get the pattern and basic structure of conjugating and declining, everything else will fit around your basic knowledge of Latin.) Once those are learned, it is just a matter of using those endings and pairing them with the vocabulary to create grammatically correct sentences. There is not as much “guess” work. You have the pieces, you know how they fit together, now you just need practice. The Latin language has gender forms. By learning which gender a declension signifies, it is easy to tell the gender of vocabulary without memorizing that little bit of important information and all the vocabulary. Does it end with -a, -ae? It is feminine; -us, -i? Masculine. By learning how to put the grammar rules together, I have also learned how to parse English, and English grammar has become one of my favorite subjects. Words matter. We need to know how to construct a sentence with accuracy and precision. Many English words come from Latin. As Latin vocabulary knowledge expands, so will your understanding of the English language. There are great minds who have written extensively on the benefits of Latin. I would encourage you to read a few of their thoughts. And if in doubt, just jump into teaching Latin in faith. The riches are there, and some of them cannot be explained; you have to experience them. Here is the plan that I have pursued. A Plan for Teaching Latin Latin Resources for Ages 4-6 Song School Latin Book 1 After I’ve said all that, I’ll be honest and admit that yes, this is a vocabulary program and it’s an excellent way to start with a young child. It introduces them to the language and gives them a few words to use around the house. This is especially fun if you have older kids learning Latin. Anything that makes the younger ones feel a part of the family is a winner. The DVD is the best part of this course. If you have a child who loves workbooks, add that in. But if your child isn’t into that, then just do the DVD. Latin Resources for Ages 7-8 Latina Christiana This is a simple program that teaches a list of vocabulary words, a Latin saying, and a grammar form each week for 25 weeks, with 5 review lessons. If this is your first time teaching Latin, then I recommend the DVD or Online Streaming videos. The flashcards are a helpful, simple way to review the weekly memory work. Age 7 can do this work, but do not add on the extras. Age 8 can do this for a second year and add in the extras, or start here. Add ons: Ludere Latin Latin Review Worksheets (year 2) Ecce Caecilia Et Verus (Latin Reader). Note: if you are someone who really needs to learn from a vocabulary perspective, then you would love Song School Latin, Book 2 followed by Latin for Children, Primer A instead of the above. Latin Resources for Ages 9-12 First Form Latin, Second Form Latin, Third Form Latin This program can also be an entry point for a student. If you are just starting your Latin lessons at these ages, start with First Form Latin. This is a slow, methodical walk through Latin grammar forms while presenting vocabulary to memorize. The Student Workbooks presents repetitive work for mastery. The DVDs or Online Streaming are necessary if you have not learned Latin before. Add ons: Ecce Caecilia Et Verus (Latin Readers) Lingua Angelica Acts of the Apostles: A Latin Reader Lingua Latina Series Note: if
Curriculum Spotlight – Science Through History
How do we know how things work? What are atoms and molecules? How do human organs function? Why are the sparkling lights in the sky? In today’s curriculum spotlight, let’s talk about science through history. Understanding Science Through History These are questions that humans have been asking from the beginning of time, and we want answers. This science program tells us about those men and women who asked the questions and then proceeded to find answers to them. With a solidly Biblical beginning in, Science in the Beginning, we move on to Science in the Ancient World. The stories of Archimedes, Galen, and Hippocrates describe some of their first questions and how they were answered. Archimedes is the first person who recorded his observations of mathematics in space as well as things like water displacement, engineering in movement, and calculating volume. Galen observed the human body and how each part connected with the others. Hippocrates decided that fluids in the body influenced the emotions that we experience. You may wonder, how is this relevant to our world today? What is scientific about these things? Can science be learned through history? Science is something that is not settled, it’s actually constantly being discovered, tested, and changed. So how can we tell our children about this world of discovery? By reading the stories of the men and women who observed and wrote about their findings, we can show how our knowledge of the world in its minutest and grandest forms was discovered, but not always with a definite conclusion. Aristotle, one of the greatest scientists and philosophers in history, believed that the Earth was the center of the universe. While we can learn so much from his work, we now know that he was wrong on this very important subject. How can this program help our students to study and learn about science? As an elementary program, this is the story of how people came to believe what they did. Young children love to hear stories, and imagine them, and play them out. Rather than giving children dry facts of anatomy, astronomy, chemistry, and the other sciences, this program tells them the story of the discovery. However, it’s not just a story. Each lesson also has an experiment. Again, as a course for elementary students, it’s a beautiful introduction to start the first books of the series with younger ages. The experiments are very basic and engaging, and even mind-blowing to 6- and 7-year-olds. After those first basic discoveries, we move on, with the ages, and engage with the renaissance world as they build on the ideas first discovered. Galen told us so much about the human body, but he was not correct in everything. Leonardo da Vinci begins to show us more and we experiment with more complex materials. Copernicus and Galileo challenged Aristotle’s ideas about the universe and bravely published their works, showing us that even the most intelligent Aristotle could be wrong on some things. This is the story of science, and yes, we can learn science through history. It’s a method: purpose, hypothesis, materials, procedure, results, and conclusion. In telling our children about the brave men and women who were able to publish their conclusions to a world that might not accept them, we are raising up a generation of young people who can lead us into the next generation of scientific discovery. Quick facts: This tells the story of science from the beginning of time including the people who presented their ideas. This is not just a story. Experiments accompany every story as the students are compelled to prove the theory. As an elementary program, it begins very basically and as they are more able to understand and build on discoveries, this program guides them. These books do not have to be done in order. Each text stands alone in content. Every lesson concludes with questions for the student. The questions are for three levels: youngest, older, oldest. This is an excellent program for a one-room schoolhouse approach. You can teach many ages with one text. The reading in each lesson is very manageable. Printable Notebook Pages are included and can be accessed through links in the product descriptions on our website. See sample. 5 Volumes – 180 lessons in each volume Science in the Beginning Science in the Ancient World Science in the Scientific Revolution Science in the Age of Reason Science in the Industrial Age Or buy the entire set for an excellent price: Science Through History. Optional but Recommended Helps and Hints Resource Helps and Hints for Science in the Beginning Helps and Hints for Science in the Ancient World Helps and Hints for Science in the Scientific Revolution Helps and Hints for Science in the Age of Reason Helps and Hints for Science in the Industrial Age *You can purchase the text and helps and hints as a set or separately. 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.
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!
Teach Through June
I’m a fan of a well-designed homeschool curriculum but I’ve pulled back a bit to allow more room for books. I was not a confident homeschooler in the early years and relied heavily on curriculum for the step-by-step guidance that I needed. These days, I enjoy planning themes for the month, finding relevant books, activities, and other resources, and then using our morning time to dive in. I’m amazed at the vast content that we’ve been able to cover over the years and I love watching my children take what they’ve learned from one little picture book into their day and weave it into their play and conversations. The last of my 7 learners is a bit of a reluctant learner but he never turns down a read-aloud or a hands-on activity to accompany the book…another benefit of using books. June is a great time of year to transition to using more books even if it’s just to keep summer learning going. Curriculum studies are often winding down at this time of year and June is full of educational themes and topics. We’ve pulled together a few book stacks to help you cover the following topics. June is National Indigenous History Month Indian Tribes of North America – Coloring Book Hiawatha Northwest Coast Indians – Coloring Book How Summer Came to Canada Island of the Blue Dolphins Canadian Fairy Tales The Indian School World Ocean Day is June 8th Island Boy My First Book About the Oceans A Morning to Polish and Keep What Lives in a Shell One Morning in Maine Follow the Water from Brook to Ocean Oceans Sea Animals – Sticker & Coloring Book Time of Wonder June 5th is National Health and Fitness Day Hear Your Heart My First Book About the Brain How Many Teeth Lungs My First Human Body Coloring Book June 21st is World Music Day Musical Instruments Great Composers Meet the Orchestra Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers Music Activity Book The Story of the Orchestra The Gift of Music A few other resources to mention… June 1st is World Milk Day and we carry a sweet little resource for you to read to your children…Milk From Cow to Carton. You don’t need to look much farther than your grocery store to add a fun activity to accompany this read-aloud; a menu filled with fun dairy foods! If you are looking for a more complete study on where our food comes from we carry a bunch of picture books that are a great place to start: How Do Apples Grow, From Seed to Plant, Honeymakers, The Vegetables We Eat. It’s the story behind The Swiss Family Robinson that makes this novel a good choice for Fathers Day. The author, Johann David Wyss (1743-1818) was a pastor in Switzerland. He created this story to entertain and instruct his boys after they developed an interest in the Robinson Crusoe story. This is a classic family read-aloud and will prime your children for hours of summer creative play. If you are looking to add some formal learning to this novel we also carry the Swiss Family Robinson Comprehension Guide. Also, don’t forget that this novel has been made into a movie. See our Movie Night Book Stack for a complete list of novels that have been made into movies. June marks the beginning of the summer season. The Reasons for the Seasons does a great job explaining why seasons change. Add these titles to round out your child’s understanding of the relationship between the seasons and solar system: The Moon Book, The Sky is Full of Stars, The Big Dipper, Along Came Galileo. Visit us again next month for a new list of books that you can add to your summer homeschool. 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.
Legends and Leagues – Geography in Color
Geography is anything but dry and boring. If that’s been your experience, then we have a treat for you! Legends and Leagues is a journey around the world, including history where relevant, and just to keep you on your toes, there are fantasy creatures involved. (How else are you going to travel across Europe in a couple of hours?) The first book and workbook are for young children, ages 5-7. This is just a fun story awakening a youngster’s mind to charting a path, and how one could do that. The next four courses are for ages 8-12. These can be done in any order since they don’t build on each other, they just cover the countries as follows. Each course includes a review of Continents and Oceans: North: British Isles, Europe, Scandinavia, Former U.S.S.R. South: Africa, Middle East East: Asia, Oceania, Australia, New Zealand West: North America, South America Each course includes a read-aloud book, which could be a stand-alone but the workbooks really enhance the stories and give a more practical look at the country being studied. It includes flags, questions about major landmarks, historical events that changed geography, recipes, crafts, and activities. There are a few questions that need answers, and those are divided into easier and harder categories so this book can be used for a range of ages simultaneously. Yes, it would make a perfect Morning Basket curriculum. A few missionary read-alouds would be the perfect pairing for this curriculum that will tell your children about other nations. The Taste of Asia devotional would be the perfect way to pray about the countries that you are studying in the Legends and Leagues East. While I was reviewing this, I couldn’t help thinking that this was the next step for the Around the World with Picture Books I and II packages. Those are the best introduction to the world around us for young children, ages 4-8. If you have completed those, this is certainly the next step in your geography curriculum. Quick facts: First book and workbook for grades 4-7 (or you could do the Around the World with Picture books packages). The next 4 levels can be done in any order There are two sets of questions directed to younger and older students This can be done with children of multiple ages simultaneously Includes recipes and activities Click here to shop now! 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.
The Myth Made Fact: Reading Greek and Roman Mythology through Christian Eyes (Book Review)
The Myth Made Fact: Reading Greek and Roman Mythology through Christian Eyes by Louis Markos PhD review by Sarah Mast When I first saw this book cover in my inbox from Classical Academic Press’ newsletter, I knew I wanted to read it, and I knew Classical Education Books would carry it as quickly as it could be published. I thought it was going to be similar to their adult education series; books that are as encouraging as they are informative. The Myth Made Fact was so different than my expectations; in the best way. The Myth Made Fact crosses genres to become not only a historical, literary, and Christian studies textbook, but also an anthology of ancient Greek and Roman myths, a charitable academic seminar on truth and virtue, and a guidebook on how to teach these subjects to students or yourself. It also includes art pieces from throughout the millennia to help dramatize some of the texts with art history. This book is a cross-disciplinarian dream. I love books, art, field trips, and the like to be as interwoven as possible with other subjects. It makes the experience so much richer when we can help our children (or ourselves) comprehend meaningful connections within our learning. The minute I opened up the first page to Markos’ Table of Contents, I knew I’d be given all the information I needed, including but not limited to: A Note on Virtue, Appendices (mythology in pop culture, pedagogical approaches, and classroom usage), a Character Glossary and more. Although lengthy introductions are included, I’m so glad I didn’t skimp on them and just fast-forward to the myths chapters. I would have missed so much ‘meat’! In The Myth Made Fact, he practically breaks down the myths into subsections which were helpful to me as someone who did not grow up reading myths. After each myth, Markos writes his “Reflections”. These put the myth in context for us today and marries it with theological truth and virtue. He has ample footnotes provided, and I am so glad they are thorough. What I lack in classical understanding, he guides me along like a patient Dante, providing the background that I need to understand the full weight and meaning. After the reflections come the next section of each myth chapter, the Applications. Markos has written between 1-10 questions (often with a subset of questions) that a highschool student could work through for History, Literature, and Christian studies learning, or if you’re like me, an adult who wants to rub my eyes to ‘see through the dark glass’ more clearly, from antiquity to present day. These questions will challenge someone who has been a Christian for a long time, and it will invite students to stretch and wrestle with their own faith-based questions. I have been homeschooling for many years, and my son and daughter have grown up with a love of myths thanks to a popular and prolific writer. When my son saw the cover of this book he said, “Hmm. That looks pretty interesting.” This is teenage-speak for excitement and I knew I immediately had buy-in, but I wanted to read it first so I could really engage well with him and go through the Applications questions together; something his debater nature loves to do. The Myth Made Fact has encouraged me in my Christian faith, guided me through my historical gaps, and has helped my son and I take part in ‘the great conversation’ together. I look forward to keeping this treasure on my shelves for many years, but “don’t take my word for it”, pick it up and deep-dive into a delightful study of truth, goodness, and beauty. 1 Although I may not have the classical understanding I wish to (yet), I do know that Rick Riordan has helped a generation of kids learn the Greek, Roman, Norse, (etc!) myths with humor and fast-paced plot. 2 LeVar Burton, presenter of “Reading Rainbow”; one of my reading mentors from childhood 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!
