Galloping The Globe

 Geography, Unit study resources  2 Responses »
Sep 212011
 

Ready to See the World?

We are looking forward to a full and fun year of galloping through the continents of the world. This unit study approach to geography incorporates literature, language arts, science, bible, and various activities, as well as holidays and celebrations. Travel and tourism contacts are also included.

Galloping the Globe provides a suggested schedule for one country per week or two, and ample suggestions for each of the above subjects. Also included is an activity CD-ROM (my older copy did not come with this). I ordered it and am so glad that I did! While my manual has pages that can be photocopied to create notebook pages with, the ease of printing them from the computer is a huge plus. As a bonus, the CD includes additional notebook pages not included in the original manual.

Getting Started!

We are off to Asia this week.  Today we learned a little about China, colored China on the map, and, for old times’ sake (from our years of Five in a Row), read The Story of Ping. For more world traveling fun we are  preparing to learn about Pandas, make Egg Drop Soup, and also play ping-pong, China’s national sport!

Additional Resources:

A globe, beginner atlas, children’s dictionary, and a bible are suggested for your student to have on hand. In addition to Galloping the Globe, there is core book list. While I own some of those books and can see that they will be useful, I propose that if you could not afford all of the additional resources, it would not be difficult to utilize the library and the Internet to fill in the information. Many of the resources are available from the publisher’s site, Geography Matters.

I love it!

Created for homeschool families by homeschool moms, I think this manual is a perfect fit for our family. While I don’t turn my nose up at more traditional curriculum, I do have a special place in my heart for things that were written just for me!

-Laurie Duquette is mom to 7 children and a grandma of 3. Her family is beginning their 19th year of homeschooling. You can read more about their  homeschooling adventures at Keeping It Simple.

My Father’s World: 1st grade

 Art, Bible, Charlotte Mason, Classical, Elementary, Geography, Grammar, Hands On, Language Arts, Living books, Music, Nature Study, Phonics, Reading, Science, Spelling, Unit study resources  3 Responses »
Aug 222011
 

What immediately drew me to My Father’s World is that the curriculum is the fact that it is fairly stand alone. You purchase either the basic set or their deluxe set, and you are ready to go!  I adore this as our little library in this rural community really doesn’t have the variety or selection of books that we were used to in San Diego. This means filling in blanks or filling out a curriculum is a challenge now so a curriculum with most of the absolutely necessary books included was a huge plus to us.

However, like the true bibliophiles that we are, I wanted the option of having more, should we be able to find them. True to the Charlotte Mason element, the curriculum is surrounded by the “living books” concept so the usage of books is completely up to you.  I love that they include this in every year.

About My Father’s World 

mfw basicMy Father’s World isn’t just a Charlotte Mason style offering but rather a unique fusion of sorts, merging both “the best of Charlotte Mason, classical education, and unit studies with a Biblical worldview and international focus.”

My Father’s World offers grades K-2nd grade as a more independent, semi-stand alone element and then moves into a family 5 year cycle that works around a central theme. The 5 year cycle is specifically geared for multiple ages, for grades 2nd-8th so there is savings to be found as families with more than one child use the same program to teach all children in 2nd – 8th grade.

Year One Geography: Exploring Countries and Cultures
Year Two History: Creation to the Greeks
Year Three History: Rome to the Reformation
Year Four U.S./World History: Exploration to 1850
Year Five U.S./World History: 1850 to Modern Times

 

They also offer a bridge year called Adventures in My Father’s World, which is geared for families 2nd or 3rd graders who have no siblings in 4th – 8th grade.(We will be doing this program next year as I have a 4year old and a 7 year old.)

 

Our Adventure

Currently we are working our way though My Father’s World, 1st grade.  I adore this program as it is laid out in an easy to follow, daily workbook fashion.  It’s easy for me to combine the integrated social studies, science, art and Bible elements with both kids, while focusing independently on the phonics and math.  My boys love that they are learning together, doing the same things, despite their age and grade differences.

The curriculum does include a 1st grade phonics-based reading program that focuses on the Bible and more fun, hands-on math activities.  We include our own K4 phonics and and additional math program (Math U See) for both boys as I found their math not as intensive as I think it needs to be for the grade.

mfw craftsOne major element we always seemed to miss with our previous years curriculum was the arts; we simply didn’t always make time for them.

With My Father’s World, art, music, crafts,hands-on learning is a major part of the curriculum. Everything is planned out and outlined for you to see the day before so you can prep easily, using common household items most of the time.  My boys have enjoyed this more consistent addition to our learning and I have found they have better attitudes and have better lesson retention.

The only cons that I have experience thus far is that the 1st grade teachers book is only formatted with a daily lesson plan. It lacks the easy, one glace, weekly grid that their latter versions offer.  I also felt the math that is included is a bit weak for the age group so we needed to supplement an additional math program. Ultimately, minor things that we easily rectified.

For a full curriculum, It’s fairly affordable, especially when you compare it to larger, more known companies. For the 1st grade curriculum, you can elect to get their basic package for only $136.oo or their deluxe package for $239.00.  As the years grow in complexity, so does the number of books included which will contribute to a steady raise in the overall costs. However, remaining competitive and within reach for most families.

Overall, My Father’s World, or MFW, has been a blessing to our household. It’s affordable, fun, engaging and the children really do learn.

Medieval Alliance Game

 Classical, Elementary, High School, History, Middle School, Unit study resources  3 Responses »
Jul 272011
 

We’re jumping into the Middle Ages for history again this year!  I love following a four-year repeating cycle of history and science.  Each time we dive back into a subject with so much more breadth and depth, we find ourselves completely enthralled {yet again} in the subject matter.

Besides using Romans, Reformers and Revolutionaries and TruthQuest History as our spine curricula, I’ve found a few “extras” that have been wonderful additions for studying the time period.  The Medieval Alliance Board Game from Jett Educational Games is one of those fun extras.

Our family loves a good game anyway, but even more when it purposely fits into something we’re studying.  And even more again when the game acts as a “teacher” besides just being fun.  Medieval Alliance is all of these: fun, fitting and very instructional!

Each player becomes a knight serving a particular king or queen during the late Middle Ages.  His or her goal is to be the first knight to form an alliance with the King of Agrafor by collecting precious gifts to give to the king in his castle.

Each knight earns money for purchasing gifts by collecting income from land holdings (feudalism).  As money is collected, knights travel throughout the land to find the armor smith, weapon smith, shrine and market where gifts can be purchased.  (Beautiful photos of actual medieval artifacts and art are included.)  Once all required gifts are purchased, the knight must beware the king’s guard in the castle as he or she strives to reach the king.

During journeys through the kingdom, other knights can challenge you to a joust which means you might lose valuable money and turns.  Chance cards have to be drawn sometimes, too, which can prove to benefit or set back your journey.  Either way, though, the chance cards provide a wealth of valuable information about the time period!  You’ll be introduced to:

  • lifestyles
  • customs
  • hygiene
  • famous people
  • battles
  • markets
  • artwork
  • tools and weapons
  • occupations
  • and more!

What better way to learn about a time period than to dive right in and become part of it?

Since there is a good deal of reading involved on the chance cards, it’s most easily played by children who are good readers.  However, younger children can still play with help.  Enjoy!

-Cindy West is an eclectically Charlotte Mason mom of 3 from Central KY.  You can find her blogging at Our Journey Westward and find her NaturExplorers studies at Shining Dawn Books.

(Medieval Alliance was provided to Cindy free for review.  As always, she shares only her honest opinions.)

Epi Kardia

 Bible, Biblical Principle Approach, Charlotte Mason, Elementary, Hands On, High School, History, Middle School, Phonics, Reading, Science, Unit study resources, Writing  4 Responses »
Jul 152011
 


Epi Kardia.

In Greek, it means “at the heart.”

To me, this curriculum gets right to the heart of what we want homeschooling to be in our family – a Christ-centered relationship and discipleship between parents and their children.

My Family’s Story

I’m continuously searching for the “best” curriculum for our needs, which are ever-changing.  Unfortunately, my small town leaves a lot desired when it comes to curriculum availability.  And, because I’m an incredibly visual and hands-on person, it’s hard for me to commit to buying things that I can’t thumb through.

I was recently given the chance to take a sneak peak at the Epi Kardia curriculum by the company.  It, along with a few others, had been bookmarked in my “check out later” file – so when the chance came along, I was giddy.  No lie.

Epi Kardia is a literature based Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling.  What does that mean?  Well, Epi Kardia uses the Bible to take your student through history.  But, wait.  If you think your student is just going to be memorizing passages, you are so wrong.  The folks at Epi Kardia have broken down a structured learning plan for each grade.  For example, if you choose the first set in the 1st Grade plan, you’re child will be learning about:  The Ancients, Middle Ages, Renaissance & Reformation.

With each topic, the Bible along with a variety of other christian and non-christian (but approved by Epi Kardia) books are used to help teach your child more about the subject he or she is supposed to be learning.  Because of it’s Charlotte Mason approach, Epi Kardia also includes a lot of copy-work and handwriting exercises.  It’s so impressive to see how they’ve really brought a myriad of important subjects (Bible, History/Reading, Science, English/Phonics, Arts) together in a wonderful education plan.

Quick Breakdown

The Pros-

  • Teaches Bible, History/Reading, Science, English/Phonics, Arts (some programs similar to this one do not teach science)
  • Included is a book list, complete with ISBN numbers
  • The plans leave plenty of time for “projects”
  • Costs about the same as its competitors’ programs ($250 for printed, $200 for CD)
  • Requires little planning as it’s all done for you!

The Cons-

  • It’s a Charlotte Mason approach, so if your child doesn’t learn well with this method, it may not be right for them.  (Although, if you’ve never tried it, I’d recommend it!)
  • It didn’t have quite as many projects as I’d like – I’m VERY hands on and project-oriented, as is my oldest.  But, this is easily remedied, and an extra project or two can be added to our schedule.  However, for those of you who aren’t insane about crafting and projects the way I am, they have the perfect amount.  Enough to teach a point without being overbearing for your schedule.
  • You’re actually going to have to go to the library or amazon.com to get the books.  Everything you need is not included in these plans (meaning, you’ll have to buy or borrow books from their book-lists).
  • The website can be a little confusing (navigation and figuring out which package entails what).

Would I use it?

Yes, yes I would.

Learn More:

To learn more, you can visit their website, check out their scope and sequence, or view a sample.

Written by Ashley.  Find more of Ashley’s writings and reflections on motherhood, marriage and life on her blog.

TruthQuest History

 Charlotte Mason, Classical, Elementary, High School, History, Literature, Living books, Middle School, Unit study resources  8 Responses »
Jun 232011
 

What’s taken me so long to try TruthQuest History???  I have had the mistaken impression that TruthQuest guides were only glorified book lists that I could develop myself.  While it’s true that I could come up with an appropriate list of living literature for a specific time period, these guides are SO much more!

  1. First, you get a complete look at the era, covering all of the important people, places and events in a general order of occurrence.
  2. Second, you get a full listing of appropriate living literature which will immerse your child into the era, its people, and its events.
  3. Third, and most important to me, Michelle Miller offers deliciously written commentary throughout the guide to give you an overall picture of the era, as well as tying seamless transitions from one important event to another.

Using a living literature approach to history as a Charlotte Mason style homeschooler, I have often felt a slight disconnect in moving from one thing to another in a particular era.  In other words, when we’ve read a wonderful book about Martin Luther, another about the Holy Roman Empire, then another about King Henry VIII, I haven’t always known how to give my children the “whole picture” about how they fit together.

With TruthQuest guides, I now have the “missing ingredient” I’ve been searching for – a living literature approach to history PLUS a non-textbook, complete overview in between the living literature to tie everything together for me! (Boy, was that a long, drawn-out description!)  Michelle Miller’s writing style is living itself -  sometimes humorous, sometimes tongue in cheek, always interesting.

Don’t get the impression that you are totally off the hook as the teacher using a TruthQuest guide. You will still be responsible for attaining all the living literature and may want to occasionally throw in a project or two.  However, there are open-ended question sprinkled throughout the guide called ThinkWrites which can be used for discussion and/or writing assignments.

Speaking of the literature, each section includes several book choices, many of which should be available at your library.  Your child isn’t expected to read everything on the list, but instead you choose one or two, then move on to the next section of the era.  Additionally, since many of the guides can be used with various age levels, the book lists not only include brief descriptions, but appropriate age levels, too.

To give you a picture of how in-depth and thorough the guides are, I’ll give you the table of contents from the TruthQuest History – Renaissance, Reformation & Exploration guide I am using.  These are just the main headings, as each contains several specific lessons with literature choices and overviews.

  • John Wycliff and Jan Hus
  • Growth of Towns
  • Northern Art Begins to Change
  • Dawn of the Renaissance
  • Early Renaissance Art
  • Exploration Begins
  • Fall of Constantinople
  • A Visit to Italy
  • The Princes of Prints
  • War of the Roses
  • Think Like a King
  • Artists of the High Renaissance
  • Ferdinand and Isabella
  • Holy Roman Empire and France
  • Christopher Columbus and Other Early Explorers
  • Church Leaders
  • Machiavelli and His Prince
  • Reformation Rumble
  • Francis of France
  • Charles V and His Spanish Holy Roman Empire
  • Ottoman Empire
  • Spain’s New World Empire
  • Early Native Americans of the Southwest
  • King Henry VIII
  • Reformation Spreads
  • Science Takes a Leap
  • Russia and Ivan the Terrible
  • The French in the New World
  • The Counter-Reformation
  • Later Renaissance Art
  • Queen Elizabeth
  • John Knox
  • Mary, Queen of Scots
  • England Gets into the Race for the New World
  • Spanish Armada
  • Walter Raleigh
  • William Shakespeare
  • Later-Counter-Reformation Figures
  • The idea War
  • Holland Yearns for Freedom
  • Battle of Lepanto
  • El Greco
  • Scien-a-rama
  • Mystery of the Roanoke Colony

Wow.  See what I mean?  You might not be able to tell from the list above, but a focus on Christianity is prevelent throughout the book.  The author strives to make God’s Providence a main focus, as history is HIS story.

This particular guide is appropriate for grades 5-12, but TruthQuest guides are available for all grades in all eras of history.  Check them out! If you’re a living literature, Charlotte Mason or Classical kind of mom, you’ll be glad you did!

-Written by Cindy, eclectically Charlotte Mason mom of three from Kentucky.  You can find her blogging at Our Journey Westward and see her NaturExplorers curriculum at Shining Dawn Books.

(Cindy received TruthQuest History: Renaissance, Reformation & Exploration free for review.  As always, she only writes her honest opinions.)

Tapestry of Grace

 Classical, Elementary, Geography, Hands On, High School, History, Lapbooks, Literature, Middle School, Reading, Unit study resources, Writing  20 Responses »
Jun 132011
 

Have you found a curriculum you and your children absolutely love? One that is a perfect fit for everyone’s learning style? A nice match for the age range of your household? That, my friends, is how I feel about Tapestry of Grace.

I am fresh from representing Tapestry in a booth at my local homeschool convention. The three of us booth hostesses were not selling Tapestry that weekend. We were simply there to help, to answer questions and to share how we use the curriculum in our homes. Three days worth of talking Tapestry with fellow homeschoolers! So, what I am sharing here is not only my family’s years of experience with Tapestry but also what I learned were the biggest questions for newcomers to this curriculum.

Those that walked up to the booth, brand new to Tapestry or those who had never heard of it before asked this most often: What is it? Will you explain it?

Tapestry of Grace is a classical approach, Biblically-based, unit study curriculum for the whole family. Tapestry covers eight subjects. Everyone learning together – each child on their own learning and skill level. Here are the subjects Tapestry covers:

  • History
  • Writing
  • Literature
  • Geography
  • Fine Arts
  • Church History
  • Philosophy
  • Government

So you need to add: Math, Grammar and Science

Tapestry of Grace is a unit study approach. Four eras or year plans of history. Four units each year. Everyone studying the same topics. The history cycle (from the Tapestry site):

  • Year 1 covers the Ancient World.
  • Year 2 covers the Medieval World through the American Revolution.
  • Year 3 covers the 1800′s
  • Year 4 begins in 1900 and ends with current events.

Weekly plans: Kristen does a wonderful job of describing how the weekly plans are presented in her Review of Tapestry of Grace. She describes each section: the threads, reading assignments, weekly overview, writing assignments, student activity pages, teacher notes and glance into next week.

Here’s a peek at how Tapestry works in our home: When we first started with Tapestry of Grace I had a 5th, 4th and 1st grader. Plus a three-year-old and an infant. We spread one year of learning over two years. I love this pace. Especially with little ones under foot and older ones needing to concentrate on independent work. Tapestry gave us “a map for the journey.” The following words are from Marcia’s Somerville’s blog, Love the Journey, several years ago.

  • This was us before Tapestry: “…using traditional homeschooling curricula, instead of preserving family unity, each child is put into his own little car and travels each day his individual roads. Mom becomes more of a traffic cop trying to keep all the bumper cars on their tracks than the driver of the family van.
  • After: Using Tapestry, everyone travels together and explores the landscape of Classical Education from a Christian perspective in one family van that mom and dad really do drive.“

Everyone learning together. Really? Yes. This year, I had a 7th, 6th and 3rd grader. Plus, of course the preschoolers learning as well. One week the older two had a shared writing assignment. They were to write a radio show. Set in the early 1900s, they worked together on a story of the Wright brothers. They recruited their two younger sisters as additional characters and sound effects technicians. Sixth grader used the radio equipment that was his great-grandfather’s. (Do you see?)

Tapestry addresses all our different learning styles:

  • Hands on projects: I have one child that particularly flourishes when she gets to do a book report on a display board. Woven throughout Tapestry assignments are art and activity projects for individual students as well as for the whole family. The lapbook supplements are wonderful for those that enjoy hands on learning as well.

  • Auditory learners – can listen to audio books for literature and history studies. Many of these we borrow from the library.
  • Independent learning – My eldest likes to load up her books and tuck herself off in a corner. There are plenty of opportunities for those that work best on their own – which is the aim for the transition from dialectic (roughly middle school) to rhetoric (high school).

Even learning for mom and dad! Marcia Somerville explains Tapestry this way: Picture your family getting in the family van and heading out on a cross-country trek. There is something on the journey for everyone. For mom, extensive, weekly teacher notes give you all you would ever need for grades K-12 all the years of your homeschooling journey. For dad, a Pop Quiz. This CD is easy to listen to on a work commute, giving an overview and highlights of the learning going on at home.

If you are new to Tapestry, their website is a wonderful place to start:

  • Download a free, three-week trial of Tapestry. Explore Egypt with your family and explore Tapestry of Grace at the same time. This is what we did when considering Tapestry. It helped me, as the teacher, see how the curriculum works. And it got the children all excited!
  • Marcia Somerville’s video explanation of the map of humanities. Hear directly from Tapestry creator and author about the journey of Tapestry of Grace. She regularly posts on her blog specific Tapestry information as well as general homeschool encouragement.
  • Also on the Tapestry of Grace site, under the Explore Tapestry tab, you can view explanations of the cyclical plans, weekly plans. learning levels, the three big ideas. Pull up a chair and spend some time here.

Learn from fellow Tapestry users:

But I feel overwhelmed by Tapestry of Grace. How do I make it work? Never have we ever done all of the subjects each week. Tapestry is truly a smorgasbord. When I open that week plan, I zone in on the learning levels for my children and ignore the rest. Even then, depending on the week, we may choose to only tackle the core history assignment. Other weeks, as we are wrapping up a unit, we may concentrate more on the arts and activities, doing assignments and larger projects together as a family.

We never finish up each and every assignment for the week. This curriculum serves you and your needs, matching the season of your life. There is so much to choose from! You don’t have to check it all off. Yet, that is also one of the beautiful benefits of Tapestry. You can tailor it by topic for your family, changing it to your children’s needs, matching the books you already have on your shelf. Dig deep or skim the surface. Rich learning either way.

Cost: One time investment. When you buy a year or even a unit of Tapestry of Grace you have it to use over and over again. Cycling through with each child. Your youngest ones have the chance to learn at the different levels up to four times.

How do you like your curriculum? Tapestry is available in print or digital form. Or, you can purchase both for each unit. I made the transition from print to digital last year. I found it easy to have everything on my computer to click on and reach – all in one spot. However, my two new Tapestry hostess friends both preferred having the digital version on their computers AND the print version to hold and flip through.

What about all those books? Oh the books we read! Each unit is rich with living books. Buying all the books for each unit is an option. However, I can purchase the ‘spine’ resource we will be using that year or that unit and reserve the rest at the library. Most of the books are available there. If not the first resource listed, then I usually already have the books listed on the alternate resource page in each week’s reading. Or can find them at the library. For years 3 and 4, Story of the World was listed as an alternate resource. Already had that on my shelf!

Bookshelf Central is the spot to load your cart up on books. You can select the books you need for all learning levels the entire year. Or you can fill your cart with just the books you will need for your grammar students for unit one. The online cartoon character, Grace, leads you through the Buying Guide step by step.

Optional Supplements:

  • Lapbooks: available for each unit, either on disc for you to print. Or pre-printed on colored paper for you and your child to assemble. Some families purchase a lapbook for each child. In our family, we use the lapbook as a review at the end of the unit. Each child picks several topics to work on and research. Click here.

  • Pop Quiz: Dad can listen on his commute to work. Supper time discussion can be about all the learning going on at home. The children and I have also used Pop Quiz CDs ourselves as an overview – in the car – going from place to place during the week. Click here for more information.
  • Map Aids: all the maps you need to print for one year in one place. Available in disc form or as an add on to Tapestry DE. Click here.

  • Writing Aids: A resource for all ages. One time purchase to be used as a supplement to Tapestry writing assignments or as an independent writing handbook. We turn to this guide to see what is expected in an assignment. What is a book report? How do you organize a display board? All types of writing graphs, wheels, diagrams and more to print to aid in the writing process. Click here.
  • Evaluations: Tests and quizzes to see how much your children are absorbing. The Tapestry site says, “Evaluations are unique because they test in keeping with the Tapestry style–integrated and multi-sensory!” Click here.
  • Government Elective: Available for rhetoric students. Key documents for further study. Click here.
  • Online Classes: for dialectic and rhetoric students. Click here.

Unit Celebrations: a celebration brings closure to a unit of study. These can be extensive or simple. Children can dress as a character from the time period they’ve studied and put on a play. Invite grandparents, friends and neighbors to view display boards, reports and school work. Celebrate all you’ve learned. Here’s an example of a unit study from our Year 4 studies and our Year 2 studies.

Continuing Education: I feel that continuing education and encouragement for mom is important. I look forward to the sessions at homeschool convention each year. As well as just seeing the sheer number of homeschoolers that fill that convention hall! With Tapestry of Grace, I’m learning right along with my children. All the resources I need to teach them at my fingertips. Extensive teacher notes from K all the way through high school.

As one heading into our fourth year of Tapestry, let me suggest: Take a summer or holiday break to get to know Tapestry. Take your time navigating their website. Download the free, three-week trial and have fun trying it out with your children. Trying it on is how we all find out if it fits.

In summary: Tapestry brings us all together for learning. As a family we are learning history – HIS Story – beginning with creation and leading to present times. And, when we are all learning together that means less work for mom. I’m not teaching those eight subjects times my five children. I’m teaching them once. Tapestry reaches the needs of all my children and gradually builds independent learners. All it takes is a few steps into the buffet of options available each unit, and the children are off and running on their own.

This year, as I officially start one more of my children on the Tapestry road and transition another into high school, I have the confidence and tools I need. I’m looking forward to teaching my kindergartener, 4th, 7th and 8th graders all together. And I’m sure the three-year-old will be joining in often. So, yes, I’d agree with the Tapestry of Grace slogan, Love the Journey.

And, once more I strongly suggest you download a free, three-week trial of Tapestry. See how it works for your family by actually using it. Print it out and hold it in your hand. We did it that one summer and then knew it was for us.

How about you? Have you already attended or do you plan to attend a homeschool convention? What questions do you have about Tapestry of Grace?

~Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. She regularly shares about Tapestry of Grace at Hodgepodge. She also contributes a blend of writing at parenting, homeschool, frugal living and allergy sites.

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The Curiosity Files: Zombie Fire Ants

 Hands On, Unit study resources  No Responses »
Jun 062011
 

At a Glance:

Product:  The Curiosity Files Unit Study: Zombie Fire Ants

Age level: 8-13

Use as: unit study

Instruction time: Fun filled and moderate to high as it is a hands on unit study.

Prep time: Low since it includes everything you need for a fun study.

Cost: $19.90 for a bundle that includes the The Secondary Schoolhouse Planner and your choice of one Curiosity Files Unit Study.

Rating: 5 out of 5 golden apples

Purchase HERE.

Anyone who has read anything I’ve written or is familiar with me knows I strive to instill a love of learning in my children.  I want to spark their imagination and get them excited about the world created by God for them.  I’ll be honest, that’s a lot of enthusiasm to put in your morning coffee.  Some days, no matter how hard you try, you cannot make direct and indirect objects exciting. Facing facts that sometimes school is, well, school, I try to look for fun unit studies and projects to keep up the excitement.  It was when I saw my children’s eyes glazed over at the mention of a unit study, I realized that making something fun is not always the answer.  Sometimes our amazing world provides enough wonder that the need to make graphing into some fun unit study is thankfully pushed aside.  This is the reason I love The Curiosity Files.  That and as soon as I said zombie fire ants my kids stood to attention with jaws dropped waiting to hear more!

The Curiosity Files explores the oddities in the world that make learning a joy.  These unit studies do not entertain by cheap thrills but educate by tapping into a child’s innate curiosity.  It provides the heart of a scientist so it’s easy for your child to feel inspired.  More over, the study never fails to give glory to God.  Yes, science and God do mix and The Curiosity Files proves it.

So what can you expect from The Curiosity Files unit studies?  You can expect to learn something new, exciting and fun.  You can expect a science lesson, copywork, bible lesson, games, puzzles, geography, projects, notebooking and lapbooking.  The material is solid and the method is smooth, logical, and fits any teaching or learning style.

The unit study is recommended for ages 8-13.  I have a 13, 11, 5 and 2 year old.  While my five year old needed to have some things adjusted, she learned quite a bit and enjoyed being a part of this.  My 2 year old was none the wiser as we did this while she slept.  My 11 year old boy had the most fun with this study.  I would not suggest this study for a child under 5 or over 13.  I think the 8-13 recommendation is perfect.  If you seek to add some fun, creativity, and curiosity into your routine without resorting to cheap thrills and entertainment, I recommend The Curiosity Files. The studies include: Zombie Fire Ants, Blue Diamond, Dung Beetle, Red Tide, MRSA, Puffer Fish, and Blue-Footed Booby.

Written by Richele, mother of 4 children, homeschooler for 9 years, and proud to say she taught tying your shoes and physics in one day.  She blogs at Under the Golden Apple Tree.

Art Murals for Kids

 Art, Elementary, Middle School, Unit study resources  4 Responses »
May 232011
 

Last February my family spent several days creating murals to hang in their bedrooms.  Coordinating several children to produce something beautiful to hang on the wall can be challenging.  We used inexpensive downloads from Art Murals for Kids as our guide for several reasons:

  • They’re easy – even my 2 year old can color.
  • They’re printable – which meant if a piece got messed up and bothered the children they could just print again and redo it.
  • They make beautiful final products.

My sons chose to use Oil Pastels to color their version of Van Gogh’s Starry Night.  They decided to try following the original for their colors.  This came from the Mini Impressionist Mural Set, which is only $5.00.  In this set the murals are small – our Starry Night printout was 6 pages, measuring 23″x 19″.  It was just right for a family to do together instead of a classroom.  There is a larger version of Starry Night available for download that is 24 pages and measures 48″x 36″.  I really like how the colors of the oil pastels are bold.  The only drawback to oil pastels is they are a bit smudgy – mostly on children’s hands!

My daughters used crayons with this mural for their bedroom.  They chose this one for the animals.  Their file was also $5.00and included two sizes to use: a 36-page version measuring 45″x 45″ and a 9-page mini version measuring 22.5″ x 22.5″.  I think the crayons looks all right, it just does not stand out as much as the oil pastels.  We may try painting a mural sometime for a change.

There are quite a few other mural possibilities to choose from at Art Murals for Kids.  She even offers coloring books of famous paintings that would be a fun addition to an artist study.  Be sure to check out her companion site, Art Projects for Kids for tons of art project ideas to use with your children.  I’ve found some real gems as I’ve explored the archives!

Tristan is a happily homeschooling LDS mother to 6 blessings age 9, 6, 5, 3, 2, and 5 months old.  You can drop in and visit anytime over at her blog, Our Busy Homeschool.  Read her other Curriculum Choice posts here.

{Disclaimer: I purchased these products on my own.  This is not a sponsored post in any way.  And yes, we hope to purchase more murals in the future!}

A Pioneer Story by Barbara Greenwood

 Elementary, History, Living books, Unit study resources  2 Responses »
Apr 142011
 

Here’s one book no homeschooling family should miss:  A Pioneer Story: The Daily Life of a Canadian Family in 1840.  It combines heartwarming stories of a busy pioneer family with the background information and hands-on activities of a unit study.  Truly, it is a winning combination.

Beautifully illustrated, this story of the Robertsons fills our hearts and minds with the life of a pioneer family in the backwoods of eastern Canada.  We follow Sarah (10), Willy(9), George(13), and Meg (15), as well as Granny, Pa, Ma, little sister Lizzy, and baby Tommy, through a whole year of maple sugaring, baby animals, milking, sheep shearing, fishing and more.

With the Robertson children we face the terror of meeting a lynx, the thrills of building a new home, the hard work of bringing in the harvest before the storm, and the joys of surviving a night lost in the wintery woods.  We trade with a jolly peddler, meet a new English boy at the school, and visit Uncle Jacob’s home for a thrillingly different Christmas.

Reminiscent of Laura Ingalls Wilders’ stories, these tales are not only the delightful story of a busy family, but also a wonderful introduction to the book’s detailed explanations and activities.

For example, in the chapter “Finding a Honey Tree,” Uncle Jacob took Sarah and Willy out to mark a bee tree in anticipation of the fall, when the honey could be harvested.   After enjoying the story, we learn about bees, harvesting wild honey, and pioneer remedies.

“Signs of Spring” shows us the family’s house, winter diet, cooking, and farmyard in such wonderfully illustrated detail that we can almost imagine their lives for ourselves.  When Sarah found the year’s first egg, the entire breadth of pioneer experience is revealed in Ma’s response:

Ma stroked the egg dreamily.  “Pudding,” she said.  “I’ll make a nice egg pudding for tonight’s supper.  There’ll be a good mouthful for each of us.”

When the peddler arrived, he brought joy and excitement to everyone in the family.  Itinerant preachers, shoe makers, peddlers, tailors, and tinkers all were welcome visitors at the farm.  Crafts in “The Peddler’s Visit” include making a punched tin picture, a pioneer water carrier, and a sand clock.

Willy spent a lot of time with his friend Neekeek, and occasionally Neekeek’s uncle would teach the boys a new skill.  Once he taught them how to catch trout with their bare hands.  When Willy came home triumphantly with the fish he had just caught, George scoffed at his story.  Granny, on the other hand, laughed, “Och, aye!  Tickling trout. Your granda was a dab hand at that. Many’s the poached fish we had from the laird’s stream.  Scooped up just that way.  Good for you, young Will!”  Of course this chapter discusses fishing, hunting, guns, and snares.

Throughout the book we learn to read the weather, make a balance scale, prepare for winter, make candles, use a bake oven, build a road, and thresh the grain while we live, laugh, and bicker with the family.  While the bickering does bother me, this book is, on the whole, happy and inspiring. The illustrations are a joy, and the stories are a treat.  My children enjoyed A Pioneer Story even more than I did both times I read it aloud, and they’ve enjoyed it on their own as well.

A free Teaching Guide is available.

-Written by Annie Kate, a Christian homeschooling mom of five, who reviews and blogs at Tea Time with Annie Kate.


Science on a Tracking Expedition from the Young Scientists Club

 Elementary, Hands On, Middle School, Nature Study, Science, Unit study resources  3 Responses »
Dec 132010
 

One of the issues I’ve struggled with over my years of homeschooling is the desire to do hands-on science projects with my children and the time/effort/inconvenience needed to gather all of the materials to do so. While I adore doing hands-on projects with my children, I do not enjoy gathering up all of the needed materials, running out at the last minute to purchase that one thing I thought I had but I actually don’t, and realizing that I can’t do the desired project because I just can’t find or purchase a required object.  Therefore, all in one hands-on kits have always greatly appealed to me!

Given my love of the convenience of hands-on, educational kits, I was thrilled when I was contacted by a representative from The Young Scientists Club to review one of their new kits.  I chose Science on a Tracking Expedition from their Nature Series.  Science on a Tracking Expedition is geared for children ages 4 and up.  I am using it with my 9 and 12 year old sons, and I also plan to include my 14 year old daughter in some of the activities as well.  Most of the materials in the kit can be used multiple times, making it quite practical for more than one child to use at once.  As well, the materials that may need to be replaced with multiple users (dirt, plaster of paris, paints, and plastic bowls) are quite easy to gather or purchase.

The primary focus of this hands-on kit is on learning to identify and appreciate animal tracks. Children (and adults) learn to identify many different animal tracks such as Black Bear, Great Blue Heron, Gray Wolf, Raccoon, Opossum, Wild Turkey, Whitetailed Deer, and Striped Skunk.  Utilizing the materials included in this kit, children learn about animals tracks through a wide variety of hands-on activities. The very clear instruction manual included has directions for the adult and also has directions written directly to the child.  Hands-on activities include:

  • Making animal track prints using the plastic animal track molds
  • Matching the animal tracks to the animals using stickers and a big poster perfect for a child’s room or schoolroom
  • Writing a short story based on the arrangement of animal tracks at the bottom of the poster
  • Making animal casts using the materials provided
  • Making animal casts from real tracks found on a nature hike
  • Attracting animals to a specific area of one’s yard and identifying the animal tracks
  • Playing a matching memory game in which animal tracks are matched to the animal

While there is definitely enough educational material included to spend at least a week of science lessons exploring the activities, this kit could easily be the beginning of a unit study about animal tracks.  Additional books, videos, or field trips could be added to learn more about the featured animal tracks.

If you would like to learn more about Science on a Tracking Expedition or other educational science kits, you can visit The Young Scientists Club website to learn more about the wide variety of products they offer.  Science on a Tracking Expedition is available for purchase at The Young Scientists Club website for $29.99.

Samantha has homeschooled her three children since her oldest child was in first grade.  She uses a wide variety of curriculum in her homeschool to best meet the needs of her children.  Samantha writes about homeschooling and family life at To Be Busy At Home.  Samantha received the Science on a Tracking Expedition kit free in exchange for her review of the product.  No other compensation, monetary or otherwise was given for her review.

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