Carnival of Homeschooling - the Founding Fathers edition
July fourth is when the United States celebrates its independence from Great Britain. School taught me the basic facts of the Revolutionary War. As I grew older I grew more impressed by the caliber of men and the momentous events that lead to the formation of the United States.
(The following images are from various US Federal Government web sites.)
Founding Fathers
The Founding Fathers were an amazing set of men. They created a new country on a foundation of freedom. For centuries most countries were lead by kings. The Founding Fathers organized a new type of government. They were wise. They put limits on government and separated the powers. These men often gave credit to their mothers. Read more...
My Friend Flicka
When I was growing up out in rural southern Ohio, many of the girls with whom I went to school had horses, and many who did not have horses still loved them anyway. Read more...
Wright on Time: Arizona (book 1)
Join the Wright family as they homeschool and RV around the United States in search of exciting and new learning experiences. In this easy chapter book, we are introduced to dad Harrison, mom Stephanie, and kids Aiden and Nadia, a family who loves learning and spending time with each other. Their first stop is Arizona, where they do some spelunking and digging for gems. Read more...
Learn to Study the Bible
Many families who homeschool for religious reasons include Bible study as part of their “core curriculum.” Some complete homeschool curricula include Bible study, but a lot of us prefer to do even our homeschool Bible study directly from the Bible itself. Read more...
Black Beauty
Growing up, even though we lived in the country, I was never a “horse person.” Many of the girls that I went to school with were horse fanatics and read every horse book there was (i.e., National Velvet, My Friend Flicka, etc.). I have read Marguerite Henry’s “Misty” books in the last few years, but had never read Black Beauty until now. It is truly a lovely book about a horse who is loved and then later mistreated. Read more...
Shakespeare's Julius Caesar Remixed
At some point, Julius Caesar is one of those plays you probably would like your highschooler to read. But what if you just can't seem to find the time to add another book to the list or maybe your student can't get past the Shakespearean language and stumbles through it. Then you may want to try the hilarious musical from Goldspike Audio: Shakespeare's Julius Caesar remixed. Read more...
Matilda
This is the fifth book of Dahl’s that I have read. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a good book and I liked it. Fantastic Mr. Fox was all right but nothing to write home about, and The Vicar of Nibbleswicke, though written to draw attention to the problem of dyslexia, tended to lean toward the vulgar in places. James and the Giant Peach was an interesting, if rather fantastic, story, but I did not care for the way that it made most adults seem evil and untrustworthy. Matilda has the same problem. Read more...
Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter
Horrid Henry lives up to his name – his behavior is atrocious! In Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter, Henry is the star of 4 short, comical stories. Geared to reluctant readers, Horrid Henry will have you yelling, oh no, don't do it Henry over and over! Henry has your average parents, but he claims they are horrible. He also has a little brother who is Perfect Peter – an adorable lad who always does the right thing, and that just throws Henry over the edge – he doesn't tolerate good behavior. Read more...
Horrid Henry's Underpants
Horrid Henry, the number one British bad boy, is back to dish out some mischievous and bratty behavior. Don't take the name lightly; Henry is indeed a horrible kid who makes Dennis the Menace look like Barney. His behavior is at times so over the top nasty you'll cringe! In the first story, Henry, who loves junk food, makes a deal with his parents to eat his veggies for 5 days in a row. Read more...
Trouble - of the Northwest Territory
This book caught my eye because it was set in the Northwest Territory on the Muskingum River. The Northwest Territory was the name given the land northwest of the original thirteen colonies following the Revolutionary War. It eventually became the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota. I was born and raised in Ohio, through which the Muskingum River flows. Read more...
Bran Hambrick: The Farfield Curse
Bran Hambrick had a mysterious beginning. Found in a bank vault when he was a mere 6 years old, he had nothing but a slip of paper with his name and no knowledge of how he got there. Taken in by a crotchety banker named Sewey Wiloma, Bran lives a seemingly "normal" life with his odd new foster family in the city of Dunce. In Dunce magic is illegal - gnomes and mages are considered lawbreakers. Then comes the day Bran discovers he can do magic. Read more...
Joy Berry Books
I had the chance to review several titles by Joy Berry, an educator and child development specialist who has helped parents with her classic books geared towards helping children deal with childhood issues and life skills. In You Can Get Over It (ages 11-12), she addresses such topics as overcoming fear, handling stress, criticism, and rude people. She uses cartoon pictures with a short narrative to explain and deal with these tough situations. Read more...
Ivanhoe
Wilfred of Ivanhoe is a young Saxon knight of England whose father, Cedrick of Rotherwood, wishes his ward Rowena, of royal Saxon blood, to marry his distant relative, Athelstane of Coningsburgh, also of royal Saxon blood, in an attempt to overthrow the Normans and return the Saxons to the throne of England. Unfortunately, Wilfred falls in love with Rowena, so he is banished by Cedric and follows King Richard to the Crusades. Read more...
Penny & Rio The Mysterious Backyard Meeting
In Penny& Rio, The Mysterious Backyard Meeting, we meet 2 lovable dogs with distinctively different personalities. Penny is energetic and curious about every smell and sound. Rio just wants a warm place to take a nap. When Penny discovers an owl and a cat are up to something she devises a plan to spy on their conversations. She soon learns of their intentions, and comes up with her own plan to stop them from causing trouble next door. Read more...
The Mark of Zorro
Nearly everyone knows the general plot of the story of Zorro, set in California of the early 1800s. “El Zorro” (the fox) is a Robin Hood like masked highwayman who rides his horse up and down El Camino Real in the vicinity of Reyna de los Angeles to fight injustice and corruption. Those who are familiar with the Walt Disney televised version starring Guy Williams will notice some differences. Read more...
Who is God and How Can I Really Know Him
Have you thought about "world view" and the necessity of establishing a healthy one with your children? There are many different worldviews homeschoolers embrace. We are Christians, so it is important to us in to build a biblical worldview foundation in our children. I want them to see the world and interact with it according to our beliefs. Read more...